Pro/Con : Predators Remain Underdog
Nashville was a game away from forcing the mainstream hockey media to cover them and demanding that the hockey world respect them. But instead of reaching their first Western Conference Finals, they got blown out 5-0 by the Sharks in an ugly game that allowed major headlines to read what they had been itching to read.
So while San Jose rightfully earned their advancement, Nashville falls back down to the status of a team who “overachieved” this postseason, not being considered as a truly Cup-challenging caliber. And this is a stigma which Predator fans should be happy to allow others to believe.
With a strong core of youthful players gaining experience and developing their game, the highest scoring defensive corps in the league, All-Star goaltending with an All-Star prospect in the wings, and the best pack of forwards the franchise has seen to date, the Nashville Predators are set to prove themselves as a legitimate threat for years to come.
Next: Predators Offseason Outlook
This postseason offered some of the most exciting and memorable moments in Smashville history, but the future looks every bit as thrilling.