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.