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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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(Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Offensive Explosion

Concerns about the team’s ability to score were voiced after Neal was exposed in the Expansion Draft. Losing your third best goal-scorer is never ideal, but it happened. Between his departure, Colin Wilson being traded, and Mike Fisher‘s retirement the Predators lost 53 goals from last year. With 240 goals, the 2016-17 Nashville Predators rated 11th in the NHL.

Another bold prediction coming into this year was the Predator would be a top-five scoring team. Guess what: I was close. With 263 goals on the year, the Predators rank 6th in the NHL. They are five goals behind the Penguins for fifth. Yes, even missing Neal, Wilson and Fisher, the Predators scored 23 more goals this year.

But how? I said Viktor Arvidsson and Forsberg would reach 30 goals each. Only Arvidsson can hit that mark now. However, another prediction was Bonino, Fiala, and Craig Smith would earn 60 goals.  This was, of course, assuming Bonino was on the second line all season. Still, the trio reached 60 goals. Add another 13 for Turris. Austin Watson earned 13 goals this year which is 8 more than his career high. Calle Jarnkrok tied his career high in 13 fewer games played compared to the last two seasons.

Oh, here is one more correct predictions on the year.

"They (Predators) will lead more than 20 games after the opening period. It will be closer to 35. They will score first in 45 games. Why? Because they will score 70 goals in the opening period, allowing only 55. And the Predators will win 34 of those games."

Here are the numbers:

Scored first in 50 games. Lead after the first period in 30 games. The Predators have scored 69 goals in the first period while allowing 49. And, their record after scoring first is 40-4-6.

Next: Predators Get Monumental Victory to Claim Presidents’ Trophy

All in all, the success the Nashville Predators witnessed this season started by making the playoffs last year. Now, let’s sit back and see how the playoffs progress.

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