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

By Chad Minton

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 18: Filip Forsberg
NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 18: Filip Forsberg /
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DENVER, CO – MARCH 16: Nick Bonino #13 of the Nashville Predators defends against Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – MARCH 16: Nick Bonino #13 of the Nashville Predators defends against Mikko Rantanen #96 of the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on March 16, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Mikko Rantanen

Rantanen is an 80-plus point scorer that plays alongside MacKinnon on the top line. The Avalanche can’t match the Predators’ overall depth, but they have some serious talent at the top. Rantanen is going to give the Predators some problems and be one of the main scoring threats. Head coach Peter Laviolette touched on the top line that Rantanen plays on, per the Tennessean:

"We know that we’re going to have to be sharp defensively. Their top line is one of the best lines in the league. We’re going to have our hands full with that."

If the Predators neutralize the main threats that Colorado possesses, I don’t see this series lasting past five games. However, Rantanen is one of the main weapons along with MacKinnon on this young squad. He really started to explode in March with eight goals.

MacKinnon will get all of the attention, but don’t forget about Rantanen. This young, but talented, winger can tally multiple goals in any given game and steal a game or two in this series.

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