Nashville Predators: Now is the time to win Central Division

Things are looking up for the Nashville Predators. Making it into the playoffs, defeating two division rivals, and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. Now is the time to win.

The standard is now set higher than before. That is what success does. But, it is not just because the Nashville Predators made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. It is how they did it.

A loss on January 17 put the Predators with a record of 20 wins, 17 losses, and 7 ties. That was the closest to .500 that the team would be the rest of the season. They finished with 41 wins, 29 losses and 12 ties. With 94 points, they were the lowest seed in all of the playoffs.

No one told them.

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A first round sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks, in which the top seeded team did not score a goal at home.

It took six games to finish off the St. Louis Blues. Another six to defeat the Anaheim Ducks.

And a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals.

All this means one thing. It is time to win the Central Division.

Seriously.

The Predators may have lost key players from last year, but the additions of Nick Bonino and Scott Hartnell adequately fill needs. Furthermore, the young talent on the roster proved their readiness to perform in the games biggest moments. The largest statement game in the playoff’s opening round.

In five games during the regular season, the Blackhawks outscored the Predators 20 to 13, winning for of the games. That was reversed in the playoffs, as Nashville outscored their rival 13 to 3. You read that correct. It was a 10 goal difference.

Minnesota was an offensive juggernaut last season, yet only outscored the Predators 15 to 13. The season series was tied. And St. Louis lost the season series to the Predators. It was also a close season with the Winnipeg Jets.

So far this off-season, no team in the division stepped up like the Predators. Questionable moves surround the Blackhawks after they shopped in the clearance section during free agency. Minnesota is going to be tough once again, but can be beaten. As can the Blues. Yet, did they make moves to really improve their team?

The Blackhawks reunited with Patrick Sharp. Chris Thorburn adds some depth to the Blues, but only scored four points in 64 games. They did add Brayden Schenn via trade, bringing a solid scorer to a team that need another threat.

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So, now is the time to move forward and compete for Central Division supremacy.