Nashville Predators: Top-Five Most Exciting Playoff Series

There’s nothing more exciting, nerve-wracking and heart-wrenching than playoff hockey, and the Nashville Predators have had their fair share over the years.

In their 22-year existence, the Nashville Predators have made it to the playoffs 12 times. It’s become an expected occurrence for them to make the playoffs every year

The Predators made the playoffs seven of eight seasons spanning from 2003 to 2012, with the franchise’s original head coach at the helm in Barry Trotz. After missing the playoffs two seasons in a row, a new era was brought in with Peter Laviolette, and the playoff appearances continued. .

In all of those journeys to securing a playoff spot, the Predators had won their division back-to-back times and even made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, only to come up two wins short.

While we can all remember those heart-breaking games that knocked the Predators out of the playoffs, we have many, many other moments that we can look back on with pride. Here in no particular order are five of those memorable playoff series upon which we can reflect.

2004 – Predators vs. Red Wings

The first taste of the NHL playoffs for the Nashville Predators, and it starts off our countdown of the top-five playoff series in Predators history.

The year was 2004. Facebook launched for college students only, Outkast sang “Hey Ya,” and the Nashville Predators made it into the NHL playoffs for the first time.

They finally got over-the-hump and Predators fans got to experience playoff hockey on a whole new level.

The Predators were the No.8 seed and had to face the Detroit Red Wings in the first round. The Red Wings took the first two games, but the Predators battled back and took the next two games at home.

The Predators were massive underdogs in this series as the Red Wings were still one of the top teams in the league.

Unfortunately, the Red Wings went on to win the series, but the Predators were finally able to dip their toes into the playoff waters. Beginning with the 2003-2004 season, the Predators would be in the playoffs more often than not.

Memorable Moments

Adam Hall scored the very first playoff goal for the Predators just 16 seconds into the 1st period of Game 1.

David Legwand scored the 1st playoff goal at home for the Predators in Game 3.

Tomas Vokoun netted the Predators their first playoff shutout with a 3-0 win in Game 4.

2017 – Predators vs. Blackhawks

In their third playoff meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks, The Predators were looking for revenge. The Blackhawks had knocked the Predators out of the playoffs in 2010, and in 2015.

Both of those playoff defeats came in the first round, and Predators fans and players alike were so ready to finally get one over on the vaunted Blackhawks.

Things would be different in 2017 and in a massive way. The Blackhawks had handed the Predators four losses in their five regular-season meetings. Narrowly getting into the playoffs in the second wildcard spot, the Predators had something to prove.

The Predators shockingly swept the Blackhawks, and did so handily. Here’s a look at the complete highlights of that memorable series courtesy of

Sportsnet:

The Blackhawks only managed three goals for the entire four-game series, which is insane to think about. The closest Chicago ever got was a 3-2 overtime loss in game 3. They finally got over that playoff hump and took out one of their biggest rivals.

Memorable Moments

First time in NHL playoff history where the 8th-seeded team swept the 1st-seeded team in a series.

First time in franchise history where the Predators swept an opponent in the playoffs.

Pekka Rinne was the star of the series. He registered two consecutive playoff shutouts and held the Blackhawks to three goals for the entire series.

2016 – Predators vs. Sharks

After once again defeating the Anaheim Ducks in a seven-game series, the Predators had to face the thorn in their side that was the San Jose Sharks for so many years.

Like their first-round series with Anaheim, this series would go to seven games as well and be a grueling one. Even as a fan, it was hard to come out of viewing one of these games without busting a sweat.

Each team held serve in their home arenas throughout the series, a classic back-and-forth that makes playoff hockey so intesne.

Game 4 went to triple-overtime for a Predators win. They gave it all they had to hold serve at home in this series against the Sharks, who were full of superstars like Joe Thornton, Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau and Brent Burns.

The Sharks took Game 5, but the Predators snatched another overtime win in Game 6 to even the series. They really did leave everything they had on the ice to get this to seven games.

The Predators did not fare well in Game 7. The grueling series took its toll on them, and they lost to the Sharks. The 5-0 defeat knocked the Predators out of the playoffs. It was unfortunate, but big things were on the way next season for the Predators.

Memorable Moments

Game 4 was the longest playoff game the Predators had ever played. Mike Fisher had the game-winning goal in the third overtime period.

Viktor Arvidsson scored his very first playoff goal in Game 6. It was also the overtime game-winner.

2017 – Predators vs. Penguins

It took the Predators nearly two decades and ten playoff appearances to do it, but they finally reached the top to make it to the Stanley Cup Final.

Impressively enough, the Predators also made it to the Stanley Cup Final in convincing fashion, only losing four games on their way by eliminating the Blackhawks, Blues and Ducks.

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The opponent was the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Many analysts and experts had the Predators as the undisupted underdog in this series.

The Predators got off to a rocky start in the finals, dropping the first two games in Pittsburgh. There were some controversial calls however, especially in Game 1 with the “offsides” call that negated the first goal of Game 1.

In stunning Predators fashion, they managed to win the next two games pretty easily at home to even the series. They outscored the Penguins 9-2 in those two wins, with even contributions coming all across the board from star players like Filip Forsberg, James Neal, Viktor Arvidsson and Roman Josi.

Unfortunately, the Predators could not carry that momentum into the last two games. A pair of shutouts sealed their fate and ended their Stanley Cup dreams.

But what you have to realize is that Game 6 could’ve gone either way as it ended in the 1-0 final score, with a lucky bounce giving the Penguins the go-ahead goal with very little time remaining for the Predators to get the equalizer.

But oh what a time to be in Nashville and a fan of the Predators. Bridgestone Arena was loud, cheering the boys on to try to help them win. And the entire city was completely gripped by the Nashville Predators during that playoff journey that ended in the Stanley Cup Final and the sports world watching.

Even though it didn’t happen in 2017, I can guarantee the Stanley Cup will come to Nashville in the future.

Memorable Moments

First Stanley Cup Final appearance for the Predators

Ryan Johansen and Kevin Fiala missed the finals due to injuries.

The Game 3 Predators victory was the first career win for Pekka Rinne against the Penguins.