4 Best Things About Playoff Hockey in Nashville
The Party on Broadway
There is perhaps no other environment like it in the NHL. As 18,000+ fans filled Bridgestone Arena, sometimes an estimated 25,000 more filled the streets outside to cheer on the Predators. The largest crowds came during the Stanley Cup, however thousands poured into Broadway every night from Game 1 of the Chicago series, to Game 6 of the Finals.
The atmosphere outside the arena gives Nashville a unique characteristic that few others can boast. Fans love to watch the games from their favorite restaurants and bars, however, watching from their favorite restaurant or bar, less than a block from the arena is even better. The Predators even went so far as to put multiple screens outside on the streets for fans.
Last season, the Predators were 9-1-1 at home during the playoffs. So nine times last season, the 18,000 in the arena got to step outside after a win and celebrate with the thousands more waiting on Broadway.
As someone who experienced it, it really was one of the coolest things I’ve seen at a sporting event. The tremendous support that the team raises, and seeing how it manifests into city-wide parties is truly something special.
The playoffs start in less than a month, so those nights aren’t far off.
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.
Catfish Tosses
Since the 2003 playoffs, Predators fans have been putting their own southern twist on a long-standing northern tradition. The tradition started in Detroit, where Red Wings fans would throw octopi onto the ice to get the arena riled up. Years ago, Predators fans started their own version of the move, by throwing a catfish onto the ice. In the last few years, and especially in last year’s playoffs, the catfish toss has caught fire.
Even Tennessee Titans players got in on the action.
You couldn’t go a game in Bridgestone Arena without seeing a catfish fly onto the ice, someone wearing some type of catfish shirt, or even a catfish costume.
The phenomena even made its way to Pittsburgh, as one fan threw a fish onto the ice at PPG Paints Arena. It wasn’t as well received though, as the man was charged with possessing an instrument of crime, disrupting a meeting, and disorderly conduct.
The catfish toss has slowed this regular season, however, it will surely reemerge in a few weeks time.
Playoff Beards
For years now, across the NHL, the playoff beard has been a movement. While there is no question that Ryan Ellis has the best beard on the Nashville Predators, the tradition is still fun for others. Ellis just happens to keep his beard the rest of the year too, giving him a slight advantage.
Guys like Mike Fisher, James Neal, and Roman Josi grew out their own playoff beard last season, joining the movement.
Players aren’t the only ones who grow out their facial hair though, as fans love the playoff tradition as well.
Great beards have been a part of Predators playoff tradition for years, so there is no reason that it should change anytime soon. Put the razors away until the summer, Predators fans.
Next: Winning the President’s Trophy shouldn’t scare the Predators
Nashville has 10 more games until the beards, catfish, celebrity anthems, and parties on Broadway are back. The Predators will most likely face either the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, or Dallas Stars, as all three are within 2 points of each other, jockeying for 7th, 8th, and 9th place.
Get ready, Preds fans. The run for the Cup starts in less than a month.R