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Nashville Predators are favorites to win Stanley Cup (right now)

By Corey Francis

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 27: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Craig Smith #15, Roman Josi #59, and Colton Sissons #10 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of a 4-1 Jets victory in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 27: Kevin Fiala #22 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammates Craig Smith #15, Roman Josi #59, and Colton Sissons #10 after scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period of a 4-1 Jets victory in Game One of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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CALGARY, AB – OCTOBER 19: The Nashville Predators celebrate a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames after an NHL game on October 19, 2018 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – OCTOBER 19: The Nashville Predators celebrate a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames after an NHL game on October 19, 2018 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Strength of Schedule

If you are a fan of the NHL, you are likely aware of where teams stand right now. The Nashville Predators are 11-3-0 on the season, one of two teams with double-digit wins. Ten of the 11 wins came during regulation. They won their only overtime match. Furthermore, they are 6-0-0 on the road. That is a great start, but it means they are 5-3-0 at Bridgestone.

The Predators are 6-0-0 versus the Eastern Conference, beating Tampa and Boston and the Islanders along the way.

There is good news. Just ask Fox Sports Tennessee broadcaster Willy Daunic.

That’s right. The collective record of the Nashville Predators opponents is 81-51-15. Seven of their wins come against teams with at least 16 points. All three of the Predators’ losses come against the same group of teams. Not only have they played quality teams, but they are also beating them.

Just for comparison, the collective record of Tampa’s opponents is 72-61-19.

Now, as we saw last year, records do not mean much when it comes to the Playoffs. The Predators finished the season with the league’s best record, yet, struggled against a pesky Colorado team and a strong Jets squad. But, seeing how the Predators are performing against quality teams shows how powerful this team can be.

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