Predators Preying on the Competition

Nashville likely to win Stanley CupWylie LoweAssociate Reporter April 12, 2018The Cinderella story Nashville Predators erupted into the spotlight during the 2017 NHL playoffs.After sweeping the topseeded Chicago Blackhawks, they eventually fell short to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals, but the impact they made was monumental.The entire city of Nashville committed its nights to its team and the downtown area surrounding the Predators home ice, Bridgestone Arena, contained more fans than the sold-out arena.Inside Bridgestone, the loyal fans broke the NHL record for the loudest stadium in history as their cheering reached 129.4 decibels (for comparison, a plane takeoff is about 130 decibels).The city’s nickname, Smashville, became a place opposition feared and skaters in yellow adored. The fans were devastated last June, and are eager for their team to bring home the Cup.Last year they were a miracle. This year they are favored.The Predators are the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs, which begin this week. They finished the regular season leading the league with a record of 53-18-11 and 117 points. Goalie Pekka Rinne had a monstrous season, averaging 2.31 goals against throughout the regular season (fifth lowest).Their defensive four, who are often referred to as the best defense in hockey, dominated their attackers this season and scored the second most points out of all defenses in the league.The offensive front, led by Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson, is one of the most spectacular displays in the league, known for their incredible passing and selflessness.There is no one player who dominates scoring, but rather a combination of all five on the ice every goal.Alongside their incredible teamwork, they made three major trade moves this season to secure dominance in their offense. To fill the void left by departing right winger James Neal, Coach Peter Laviolette signed Nick Bonino from the Pittsburgh Penguins.A few months into the 2018 campaign, he acquired Kyle Turris—who immediately signed a six-year extension with Nashville and continued to score 42 points throughout the end of the regular season.Finally at the trade deadline, Laviolette traded two future draft picks for Blackhawks young forward, Ryan Hartman.Not only will Hartman be an asset for future years, but he has quickly adjusted to the Predators play style and will be valuable for the playoffs.The Stanley Cup hopefuls are set to face the Colorado Avalanche tonight in Nashville to kick off their best of seven series. Smashville will be wild, as the fans prepare for another hopefully magical spring.The Predators are currently sporting a two-year win streak against the eighth seed Avalanche, and they swept Colorado in four games throughout the 2017-2018 regular season. Regardless of seeding and projection, the Predators will be hungry to sweep the Avalanche and advance quick.The record and corresponding No. 1 seed comes with massive expectations, but the Predators are hungry and eager to bring their city a victory.Contact Wylie Lowe at rlowe@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.