Nashville Predators: X-Factors to Watch in 1st Round Against Colorado

No more guessing and predicting who the Nashville Predators will take on to open up the playoffs. The Colorado Avalanche are the first challenge.

There’s a much different feeling going into these playoffs than 2017 for the Nashville Predators. In terms of the regular season, their sitting on the throne. The Presidents’ Trophy winner and the champions of arguably the toughest division in hockey. Both are historic firsts for the franchise.

With all of this regular season success comes enormous pressure. There was virtually no pressure when they took on Chicago last year. The Avalanche are looking to play the same role the Predators played in 2017. That’s some irony that the Predators want to avoid. They’ve got a four-game sweep of the season series over Colorado going in their favor. But the regular season means nothing come playoff time.

There are several x-factors, players to watch in this series from both teams. How these players play under the bright lights of the playoffs will dictate the outcome. On paper, the Predators are clearly the better team. Ironically, don’t tell these Predators that a wildcard team can’t shock the top-seeded team for the upset.