Nashville Predators: Breaking Down Each Potential 1st-Round Opponent
Dallas Stars (84 points, 10th in West)
Probability of facing Predators: 8.4 percent
For a while it looked like the Stars would be the most likely first-round opponent for the Predators. However, they’re in a tailspin right now. They’re riding a six-game losing streak and have a difficult schedule remaining. They’re going to have to beat some playoff-bound teams to sneak into a wildcard spot.
If the Stars end up missing the playoffs, it will be a major disappointment. They have the talent on offense to be a scary first-round opponent, but it looks like they’ll come up short. If they were to make it in, expect a high-scoring series between them and the Predators. The depth of the Predators would override everything and it would be a quick five-game series. However, the Stars are just a few pieces away from being scary.
Los Angeles Kings (89 points, 3rd in Pacific Division)
Probability of facing Predators: 11.8 percent
This would be a tricky first-round matchup for the Predators. They haven’t played each other since the first game of February, a 5-0 drubbing in favor of the Predators. On paper, this is an appealing first-round opponent for the Predators. They’ve won all three meetings, sweeping the season series. The Kings will have to slip up down the stretch to fall into a meeting with the Predators to open up the playoffs. They’re in the top three of their division, keeping them out of the wildcard.
In odd fashion, the Kings are very ordinary. They don’t jump off the page and really put any fear into you. Their month of March illustrates that as they’re 6-5. There’s one single player that makes the Kings somewhat dangerous, and its Jonathan Quick. A veteran goaltender who is capable of getting hot in April and has a couple Stanley Cups to his name.
I have to admit, I don’t want to see the Kings in the first round. They have that weird aura about them that makes me believe the Predators would have to take them to six or seven games to get by. Quick alone would keep this series interesting.
St. Louis Blues (85 points, 9th in West)
Probability of facing Predators: 24 percent
There’s no sugarcoating it for Blues fans in the sense that the Predators are the current owners of their team. That doesn’t mean the tide can’t turn quickly in a playoff series. As we all know, it’s a clean slate when the playoffs start.
Basically a one out of four chance that the Blues creep into the playoffs to face the Predators in the first round. Two division foes that know each other very well. In the 2017 playoffs, the Predators disposed of the Blues in six games in the quarterfinals, but it didn’t come easy. They’re fairly deep on the roster and have some stars as well. A shaky goaltending situation has them on the outside looking in.
The Blues are a perplexing team. I can’t figure them out as there’s no consistency with them. They’re not dead yet, but they’re flirting with it. However, there is a pulse as they’re riding three-straight wins in overtime. I’m sticking with my preseason pick that the Blues are the biggest obstacle to the Predators returning to the Stanley Cup Final. Division opponents are always difficult, even if you have their number historically. Watch out for the Blues in the first round.
Anaheim Ducks (88 points, last wildcard spot)
Probability of facing Predators: 18.2 percent
I’m sure Ducks fans want nothing more than getting revenge on the Predators for the playoff eliminations in recent years. There’s a major gap in talent and skill between these two teams, in favor of the Predators. However, the Ducks would dirty the waters and make this series grueling. They’d get a win or two playing with that strategy.
What worries me about facing them first is expending so much energy to dispose of them. This will be their Stanley Cup as I can’t see them getting past the second round. The Predators swept the Ducks this season, continuing their domination of them in recent years.
The juiciest potential first-round opponent is the Ducks by a landslide. We’ll get to see Ryan Johansen and Ryan Kesler go at it again, and hopefully see Corey Perry bury his face into the bench after another elimination. I actually think the Ducks will charge into the top three of the Pacific Division, and bump the Kings down to the wildcard. We’ll have to wait to see these two foes meet again.
Colorado Avalanche (88 points, first wildcard spot)
Probability of facing Predators: 22.8 percent
I’m a true believer in what Colorado is building for the future. They’re going to be a serious contender for a while, but they’re a few pieces away from being a real threat. If they get into the playoffs, that will be a great accomplishment for a proud franchise that’s been down fora while.
As for 2018, a first-round meeting with the Predators might go five games. It doesn’t mean every game will be a blowout, but the Predators are vastly the better team. The least amount of resistance for the Predators in the first round will be drawing the Avalanche. Again, not trying to hate on the Avalanche, but they’re a season or two away from giving Cup contenders issues in a seven-game series.
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To round this out, I see the Avalanche falling out of playoff contention. Just look at their remaining schedule and you’ll have a hard time disagreeing. Two meetings with Vegas and their last four games will be against playoff contenders. The Blues sneak in to take their place as the final wildcard and will face the Predators.