Nashville Predators Playoffs: What To Know For Game 1

NASHVILLE, TN -- Once again, Nashville is buzzing as the hubbub of playoff hockey is heating to a boil ahead of the Predators opening game against Colorado Thursday night.

The Preds and Avalanche will begin their first-round series with an 8:30 p.m. puck drop at Bridgestone Arena with the Presidents' Trophy-winning Predators looking to advance once again to the Stanley Cup Final and finish off with a victory.

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Tickets to the game are hard to come by - with only the extremely lucky and the extremely-willing-to-pay-a-few-hundred-dollars with a chance to get in - but, once again, the team has partnered with Metro and the Convention and Visitor's Corporation to offer the popular Preds Party In The Park.

Round 1 home game viewing parties will be hosted at Music City Walk of Fame Park, located across Fifth Avenue South from Bridgestone Arena. The parties are free and open to the public. Thursday's party begins at 5:30 p.m. More information is available from the CVC.

The pedestrian bridge, the AT&T Building, Ascend Amphitheater and Nissan Stadium are among the landmarks which will be lit in gold for the game.

The game will broadcast locally on Fox Sports Tennessee and nationally on NBCSN and will be available on radio through 102.5 The Game.

Doors open for Thursday's game at 6:30 p.m. The Predators will begin the pre-game festivities at 8:15 p.m. with what the team describes as a special production "never seen before in the NHL."

The best-of-seven series will continue Saturday with a 2 p.m. puck drop.