Nashville Predators: Four bold predictions for the 2018-19 season

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 29: The Nashville Predators win 5-4 in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 29: The Nashville Predators win 5-4 in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 29: The Nashville Predators win 5-4 in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – APRIL 29: The Nashville Predators win 5-4 in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

A new season has dawned. After a disappointing end to the 2017-18 season, the Nashville Predators are poised to make a significant run at The Cup.

The time has come. A new season officially opens and fans are filled with expectations for their teams. Few teams are under the microscope like the Nashville Predators. After making a surprise run into the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017, the Predators failed to achieve what most everyone anticipated: repeating as Western Conference champions. Even though the team finished as the Presidents’ Trophy winner, their lackluster play in the postseason left a bad taste in our mouth.

Because of their success – and the Austin Watson suspension – the Nashville Predators will be viewed in ways like never before. With four straight seasons of 94+ points, three trips to the second round of the playoffs, and going to Game 6 in The Final, Nashville is now one of the favorites to win it all. Add to this a roster whose core is in place for many years and you have hope for continued success.

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Of course, it all means nothing in the end. The Nashville Predators are the NHL’s version of the Chicago Cubs. Both teams are loaded with significant talent including exciting young players and spirited veterans. They both are expected to win consistently. When they don’t, fans are quick to criticize. We saw this last year with the Predators and last night with the Cubs.

I am still heartbroken.

But, the new season for the Nashville Predators is here. Hope springs eternal, or at least for a little while. With action opening tomorrow, here are four bold predictions for the Predators in 2018-19.