4 Best Things About Playoff Hockey in Nashville
By Jake Evans
![NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 10: The Nashville Predators starting line hold hands with Children's Hospital patients during the National Anthem on Hockey Fights Cancer night prior an NHL game against the New Jersey Devils at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 10: The Nashville Predators starting line hold hands with Children's Hospital patients during the National Anthem on Hockey Fights Cancer night prior an NHL game against the New Jersey Devils at Bridgestone Arena on March 10, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/570ac86226848521ad4acaa198a67b945b67ba1beaf880a2a24f0c9f6d6168c4.jpg)
Celebrity National Anthems
One of the cooler traditions that the Predators started last year was having celebrities sing the national anthem. It started with Carrie Underwood, wife of former captain Mike Fisher. The crowd loved her performance, and the national reception was fantastic. So the Predators continued the rest of the playoffs, bringing in other big name singers. The likes of Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, and Dierks Bentley sang last season, along with others.
The anthems were a wonderful touch to already exciting pregame rituals. The famous singers brought national attention to the Predators, and showed great support for the streaking team. Plus, it was always exciting to speculate on what Grammy award winner would belt out the national anthem that night.
There is no word on celebrity anthems for this year’s playoffs, however, I would expect another full lineup. Once the trend caught fire last season, country singers were lining up to pledge their support for the Predators, and trying to get a night to sing the anthem.
With Mike Fisher back in Predator gold, I would say that Carrie Underwood will sing at least once. Who knows, it could be another year of star-studded star spangled banners.