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Nashville Predators: Central Division Preview of the Dallas Stars

By Chad Minton

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 22: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars shakes hands with Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators after the Stars defeated the Predators in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on April 22, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 22: Ben Bishop #30 of the Dallas Stars shakes hands with Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators after the Stars defeated the Predators in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the American Airlines Center on April 22, 2019 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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They’re the new villains of the Central Division. We preview the team that knocked out the Nashville Predators last season.

Everyone loves a good villain, and that villain is the Dallas Stars heading into 2019-20. At least as it pertains to the Nashville Predators. They prematurely eliminated the Predators from the playoffs, and did so in dominating fashion. They outworked and played a more physical brand of hockey to win in six games.

The past is the past, and now the Predators have to stay relevant in a very tough Central Division that has the Stanley Cup champions in it, the St.Louis Blues. However, I actually think the Stars are the team to beat. The more complete team as we sit less than a month away from the regular season. They had an outstanding offseason, without losing too much. They have great goaltending and a respectable defense as well. They have the complete package.

The Predators and Stars split the season series this past season, with every game being decided by two goals or less. Only one of the meetings could you consider as a high-scoring affair. These two usually play physical grudge matches when they square off. There’s never much room on the ice to operate, and things usually get testy in a hurry. So now that the Stars have become more of the team that’s being hunted, here’s what to expect from them in 2019-20.

Dallas is deep and balanced

This is one of the more complete teams in the division. They can beat you many different ways. Let’s start with their goaltending and Ben Bishop. He’s having a resurgence in his career with the Stars. Last season he could’ve easily won the Vezina Trophy with his numbers. He led the league in save percentage, came in second in goals against average and third in shutouts. A stellar season, and he makes the Stars a tough out just with him alone in net.

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Now let’s look at their top line, which is one of the best in the NHL. They’ve got chippy and smart veterans on that top line with Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov and Jamie Benn. They can contend with any other team’s top line in the entire NHL. This trio has great chemistry and can pounce on you in a hurry. The Predators know that firsthand. They combined for 89 goals last season.

As for their defense, well it’s just as scary. They’re not as seasoned as the top line of forwards, but they have all the upside you can want. It’s led by veteran John Klingberg. He’s still entering the prime of his career at age 27, and already has three All-Star selections under his belt. It doesn’t end with him defensively. Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell add to a young, but talented group of defensemen.

Finally, their offseason additions make them even more formidable. Additions of Joe Pavelski and Corey Perry give them more depth and more veteran leadership. Once they get to the playoffs, they have proven veterans to lean one. They’re much better than they were when the Predators were ousted by them in the first round of the playoffs.

How the Predators match with them

Can the Predators get some sweet revenge this season? More importantly, could they win a playoffs series against Dallas? Any team can beat any team on any given night. However, winning a seven-game playoff series usually means you have to be the better team. No flukes involved.

It’s hard to say how improved the Predators actually are over the offseason. They added Matt Duchene, but lost P.K. Subban and some other depth pieces. They have some talented youth coming up the pipeline that might have to grow up fast, most notably Dante Fabbro. As it pertains to the Stars, they already have proven commodities all over their roster.

In the net, both of these teams are solid. Pekka Rinne can go toe-to-toe with Bishop all day. These two teams are more likely to play to 2-1 grudge matches than they are track meets of five or six goals apiece. That’s what I expect in this upcoming season series.

Nashville’s top line can also match the top line of Dallas. Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson and Ryan Johansen can absolutely outplay Dallas’ top line and carry the Predators to a victory or two in this series. However, the depth that Dallas has is slightly better than that of Nashville’s due to more proven experience. The Predators have some guys like Colton Sissons, Craig Smith and Nick Bonino that can be difference-makers. Not sure they’re stronger than what Dallas has, or they also have more question marks surrounding them than Dallas does.

Next. Central Division Preview: Colorado Avalanche. dark

Where we stand right now, Dallas is the better team. This doesn’t mean Nashville can’t have the last laugh. The gap isn’t a massive one between the two, but Dallas has the more complete and proven roster as of now. The first meeting isn’t until mid-November, so we’ll know much more about them before they finally square off. I can promise you it will be another high-energy and chippy contest as both will be in the hunt for one of the top spots in a tough Central Division race.

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