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Nashville Predators: Top Five Reasons for Success in 2017-18

By Treigh Patterson

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 03: Pregame lighting ceremonies prior to game 3 of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators on June 3, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 03: Pregame lighting ceremonies prior to game 3 of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators on June 3, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by John Crouch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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#1 The Defensive Core

NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 11: Ryan Ellis #4 and P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators skate together during warm-ups prior to Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – JUNE 11: Ryan Ellis #4 and P.K. Subban #76 of the Nashville Predators skate together during warm-ups prior to Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

There is no doubt that the strongest unit for the Nashville Predators is their defensive core. The top-4 is likely the best top-4 unit in the entire NHL. You know your team has a great defense when P.K. Subban is on that team and plays on the second line. In fairness, the Predators do not really have a 1st and 2nd line. It is more of a 1a and 1b situation, but the point still stands.

The defensive group will be a major reason for Nashville’s success next season. There are not going to be many teams that will be able to match up well, and that will be in Nashville’s favor. Teams do not play with four defensemen, though. So, what about the other two?

Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis will likely be the 1st pair while Mattias Ekholm and P.K. Subban will be the second.  Behind them is still a mystery. On the roster is Matt Irwin, Yannick Weber, Anthony Bitetto, and Alexei Emelin. We are still not sure what will happen with Emelin, but if he is on the team when the season rolls around he will likely be a member of that 3rd line. Who joins him likely won’t be decided until the preseason, and even then a rotation is still a possibility.

Several things about the Predators are still up in the air at this point. There are several positions still up for grabs. But one thing that is for sure, when it comes to Nashville’s success, the defense will lead the way.

Next: Top 5 Anticipated Home Games of the 2017-18 Season

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