Predlines
Fansided

Nashville Predators: Ranking Their Biggest Rivals in Franchise History

By Chad Minton

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Cody McLeod #55 of the Nashville Predators stands up after being knocked to the ground during a fight with members of the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Cody McLeod #55 of the Nashville Predators stands up after being knocked to the ground during a fight with members of the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center on March 12, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Nashville Predators
CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 27: Michal Kempny #6 of the Chicago Blackhawks and Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators  (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

1. Chicago Blackhawks

Head-to-head: 117 games, 53-50-(4)-10

Point percentage: .513%

Goal differential: +2

Blackhawks fans probably wouldn’t put the Predators as their team’s biggest rival, but from my Predators perspective I have them there for many reasons.

First off, it’s pretty incredible that the Predators and Blackhawks have played each 117 times, and the goal differential is just two goals.

Other than the Blues, the Predators have played against no other team more than the Blackhawks.

After the Predators finally got that first playoff series win, the Blackhawks became the team that no one wanted to draw in the first round. They started building a dynasty of their own with so many elite superstars.

Then you have the controversy when ticket offices were tracking zip codes and addresses to keep Blackhawks fans out of Predators home games. That stirred the pot even more.

The Blackhawks eliminated the Predators in the first round of the 2010 playoffs, which was th fifth-straight time the Predators failed to get past the first round.

That elimination was particularly a painful one for me because I felt the Predators had a very strong team, and just ran into the best team in the league.

The Backhawks confirmed that by winning the Stanley Cup that year.

Then we have the glorious sweep of the Blackhawks as the Predators began their journey to the Stanley Cup Final. Even the most diehard fans were shocked to see the sweep.

I admittedly remember being crestfallen that the Predators drew the Blackhawks in the first round again. My confidence was low despite having a lot of faith in the Predators being a good team.

But there was this voodoo hex that I feared the Predators couldn’t get past. How wrong I was, and since then the Blackhawks have reverted to a team that’s rebuilding.

All-Time Lists. Predators' Most Awesome Moments of 2019-20. light

This rivalry will take a long time to die off as they’re division rivals, and the Blackhawks have a nice, young nucleus that will make them contenders again in the near future.

Honorable mention: Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins

All historical records are courtesy of hockey-reference.com

Home/All-Time Lists