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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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NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 22: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators acknowledges the fans applause on his 300th career win after a 7-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on February 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – FEBRUARY 22: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators acknowledges the fans applause on his 300th career win after a 7-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on February 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Pekka Rinne

Rinne is the key to winning the Stanley Cup, not just this first-round series. With that said, I’m not easily writing off Colorado. There’s a reason they had such a big turnaround this season, and it’s because they’ve got loads of young talent that have arrived earlier than expected.

The Predators’ speed is going to be tested by Colorado’s aggressiveness. Rinne is going up against a fast Colorado attack that’s near the top of the league in goals per game. It will be one of the biggest travesties in the history of sports awards if Rinne doesn’t get the Vezina Trophy. He will have to back up his monumental regular season with a sharp series against Colorado.

He’s the biggest x-factor in this series because of his ability to offset any other problem areas the Predators might face. If the Predators struggle to score, capitalize on the power play or take too many penalties, Rinne is the guy who can offset that. If he’s locked in, the Predators will cruise through this series without much drama.

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