Avalanche 5, Predators 1

Tuesday, April 2nd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) _ The Colorado Avalanche took a step closer to winning their eighth consecutive Northwest Division title. The Nashville Predators continued to trip over themselves.

Radim Vrbata scored twice and Colorado scored three goals in the first 8:28 of the second period as the Avalanche beat the struggling Predators 5-1 Monday night.

Two months ago, the Predators beat Colorado 5-2 in Denver and had scored 13 goals in three games against the Avalanche.

But Nashville allowed 33 shots _ 13 in the second period _ and gave up three or more goals for the fifth straight game.

``We are all sick of losing, but I think it's more important the way we're losing,'' said Nashville defenseman Andy Delmore, who had a giveaway that led to Colorado's fifth goal. ``We're making mistakes, giving goals away, myself included on the last one. We've got to stop losing because it's no fun anymore.''

Colorado, which had lost four of five, needs just five points to become the second NHL team to win eight straight division titles. The Montreal Canadiens did it from 1975-82.

``We needed the two points. The teams behind us are catching up to us and it is a pretty close run for the playoffs now,'' said Vrbata, who has 17 goals in his rookie season.

``Lately we are not playing great and there has been a little bit of pressure.''

Colorado's Riku Hahl, who was recalled Monday from Hershey of the AHL, scored his first NHL goal 2:27 into the second after Scott Parker caught Nashville on a line change.

Parker hit the right post and Hahl punched in the rebound from the left circle before Nashville goalie Tomas Vokoun could get over.

``Sometimes you are lucky and you get the game-winner, but the most important is to get two points for the team,'' Hahl said.

Colorado goalie Patrick Roy, who was fined $1,000 by the league for breaking his stick and throwing it at Phoenix rookie Krystofer Kolanos Saturday, stopped 22 shots.

Colorado's Martin Skoula scored his 10th goal of the season on a power play in the second period. Steven Reinprecht tied a career high with his 15th goal, scoring at 12:13 of the third after Delmore gave up the puck in his own zone.

``Turnovers, individual mistakes. It is just brutal,'' said Nashville coach Barry Trotz, who held a 30-minute meeting with his players after the game. ``There will be changes the next game, even if I play eight or nine defensemen. I don't want the mistakes.''

Colorado has scored 11 goals in three games after getting just eight in its previous six games.

Nashville's Kimmo Timonen scored on a power play at 10:23 of the first, his 12th of the season.

Notes: Six Colorado rookies have scored this season, the most in franchise history. ... Colorado F Mike Keane did not play because of back spasms. ... Johnson played in his 308th game with Nashville, a franchise record. ... Nashville has scored nine power-play goals in nine games. ... Colorado is 31-0-1 when leading after two periods.