Predators: Three Players Who Have Kept Team Afloat Most This Season

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It’s hasn’t been a smooth season by any stretch of the imagination for the Nashville Predators. But there’s hope, and these players are the reason why.

With 14 games remaining for the Nashville Predators, we’ve now officially entered crunch time. It’s felt like they’ve been in this mode for months now, but now there’s really no room for error.

Going into the season I didn’t think the Predators would be in this position. I figured they’d be somewhere hanging around in the top-three, and maybe even hunting for a third consecutive division crown.

The division crown means very little to me, but making the playoffs and having a team that can compete to go deep in the playoffs is very important, for obvious reasons.

If not for these players for the Nashville Predators, I’m pretty sure this team would be out of it and thinking about next year.

Instead we have hope that maybe this team can get hot, draw a favorable first-round matchup and salvage what’s been a very frustrating 2019-20 campaign.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 17: Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators during the third period of the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on October 17, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The Captain has delivered

Let’s go ahead and start with the most obvious and easy choice of Roman Josi. He’s been one of the few players on this team that has consistently shown up and played well almost every game.

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Josi has done what great captains do. You’ve never seen him really lose his composure, he answers the tough questions from the media after bad losses and is putting together one of his most productive seasons in his NHL career.

Josi now has new career highs in both points (63) and goals (16) on the season. Without him, the Predators would be well out of a playoff spot.

The cool thing is Josi has absolutely lived up to his new contract he signed earlier in the season. He elevated his game even more after the new contract.

He’s probably going to fall short of the Norris Trophy thanks to Washington’s John Carlson who has 75 points. Still an incredible season for Josi, and at a time when the Predators really needed it.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 10: Nick Bonino #13 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by teammate Colton Sissons #10 after scoring the game tying goal against the Washington Capitals during the third period of a 6-5 Predators victory over the Capitals at Bridgestone Arena on October 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Bones has been pleasant surprise

Nick Bonino came out of nowhere this season, and definitely can’t be overlooked. Aside from Josi he’s got to be the team MVP, at least in my opinion.

The third line has been the most consistent line on the Predators all season, and Bonino has steered that ship.

Very few, if any, would’ve predicted that Bonino would have a chance to lead the team in goals for the season. He’s one behind Filip Forsberg with 18 goals, which ties his total in his last season with Pittsburgh, and four short of his career high in 2014.

Bonino also has his highest shooting percentage faceoff win percentage of his career. He’s doing a little bit of everything very well this season for the Predators.

It was somewhat of a surprise that the Predators decided not to be major sellers at the trade deadline, including the possibility of selling off Bonino. Instead they decided to move forward with their high performers and take their chances that they make the playoffs.

Bonino is easily another player to choose as vital to keeping the Predators from really falling behind in the standings and not having any chance at all.

DALLAS, TEXAS – MARCH 07: Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators walks to the ice before a game against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on March 07, 2020 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Juuse is Loose

What a turnaround, and much-needed turnaround, it’s been for Juuse Saros this season. Much like last season, he got off to a rugged start.

Since then, he’s recovered nicely and really helping the Predators improve their defensive numbers in terms of goals allowed and even their penalty kill.

Great and reliable goaltending can be a huge difference-maker once you’re in the playoffs, but the Predators still have a lot of work to do before they even get that opportunity. Saros is the main guy that can surge the Predators to a playoff berth.

Since Head Coach John Hynes took over in early January, Saros has a .935 save percentage and has taken over the Predators’ main starter over Pekka Rinne.

Without Saros finding his footing and playing so well over the past couple of months, the Predators probably would’ve fallen even further and had no chance to be in the middle of this wildcard race.

Next. Playoff Push Enters Critical Stretch for Predators. dark

Saros stopped the bleeding and helped the team recover in time to keep pushing forward to where they are now with 14 games left.

Honorable Mention: Craig Smith, Rocco Grimaldi, Mikael Granlund

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