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Nashville Predators: From lowest seed to NHL’s top team in 365 days

By Corey Francis

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on April 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 05: Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on April 5, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 20: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators, far right, celebrates with teammates after a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 20, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 20: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators, far right, celebrates with teammates after a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round against the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 20, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

It started in the first round

We cannot begin to talk about this season without mentioning the first round last year. To some, it may feel like we are beating a dead horse. If you are thinking that way right now, you are a Blackhawks’ fan. The truth is this season does not happen if the first round in last year’s playoffs didn’t end the way it did.

The Nashville Predators have faced the Chicago Blackhawks 109 times, with a record of 48-48-4-9 all time. While it is the third most wins against any opponent, the Predators have only a .500 points percentage against Chicago. That ranks 24th among Predators’ opponents. Only 4 goals separate the two teams. It is the truest definition of a rivalry.

The two teams faced each other three times in the playoffs in the last 10 years. Chicago took each of the first two series 4-2. In 2010, the Predators tallied 15 goals even with being shutout twice. Chicago just beat Nashville out in the final two highly-contested games. The 2015 series was even closer, with the Predators outscoring Chicago 21-19. Two games went to multiple overtimes.

But, in 2017, things changed. Dramatically. Chicago was the top seed in the Western Conference, Nashville was the lowest. However, the Blackhawks never showed up, failing to score a single goal at home during the series. In four games, the Nashville Predators dismantled the favorites to represent the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.

Now, the Predators are the Presidents’ Trophy winner, and the Blackhawks will miss the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

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