Nashville Predators One of Dozen Stanley Cupless Teams

May 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) and defenseman Brent Burns (88) and center Patrick Marleau (12) shake hands with Nashville Predators center Mike Fisher (12) and defenseman Barret Jackman (5) after the end of the game seven of the second round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center at San Jose. San Jose defeated Nashville 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a key save during the third period against the San Jose Sharks. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV/The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK /

Nashville Predators, 1998, 17 Seasons

There have been a couple of ups and downs with the Nashville Predators. They once struggled a little with attendance and once were the victims of a plan to move them to Canada in the dark of night.

There is none of that now. They are averaging over 99% capacity and have some of the most rabid fans in the NHL. They set records the past two years for sellouts and are becoming even more popular all the time.

After missing the playoffs their first five seasons, the Nashville Predators have been there in nine of the past 12 seasons. They have been to the Conference Semi-Finals three times but haven’t crossed that bridge.

They took the San Jose Sharks to seven tough games this year and seemed poised to make an even deeper run. They are certainly one of four of five teams on this list that could be ready to jump off of it.

Next: #8, Another Southern Team

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