Nashville Predators left wing Austin Watson, front, fights with Colorado Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod in the second period of Tuesday’s game in Denver.
Nashville Predators left wing Austin Watson, front, fights with Colorado Avalanche left wing Cody McLeod in the second period of Tuesday’s game in Denver.David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Viktor Arvidsson, Mike Fisher and Kevin Fiala also scored, and Roman Josi had two assists for the Predators.

Pekka Rinne stopped 37 shots, improving to 17-7-2 in his career against the Avalanche. He also finished the month 9-1-2.

Johansen and Watson scored in the first 2:42 of the third period to put Nashville up 5-2. The Predators have won eight of 11.

Mikko Rantanen and Rene Bourque each had a goal and an assist, and Mikhail Grigorenko also scored for Colorado, which has started a five-game homestand 0-2-1.