Nashville Predators: Predictions for the Western Conference Play-In Round

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The NHL really did their homework in coming up with a complex playoff format that includes a play-in round, one that the Nashville Predators are in.

This has a feel of college basketball’s March Madness with this play-in round that the NHL is including in their return-to-play plan. It’s creative and is definitely creating a lot of buzz.

Even fans and analysts outside of hockey are finding intrigue in the NHL’s plan to not only have a postseason, but also give the fringe teams a chance to play their way into the field.

Initially I was skeptical over this idea. I thought there were too many teams being included and it was too gimmicky. But I’m coming around on it to the point that I actually really like it.

A look at the Western Conference Playoff Picture - outlined by the NHL Return to Play Plan.

The TOP 4 seeds in each conference will play a Round Robin tournament to decide seeding. pic.twitter.com/DvEvhx4XiY
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) May 26, 2020

With that said, here’s a ranking list of the most interesting matchups in the Western Conference play-in round, and who the Predators might eventually run into if they advance.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck #37 and Mathieu Perreault #85 of the Winnipeg Jets (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

(9) Winnipeg Jets vs. (8) Calgary Flames

This series on paper looks like a complete toss-up, although I’ll give the slight edge to the Jets. They have the more potent offense, the playoff experience and Connor Hellebuyck in net.

These two teams only met once in the regular season, and it was all the way back in October. So this series is going to be tough to predict.

The Jets are led by two 70-plus point scorers in Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. These two are a lethal combination, to go along with Blake Wheeler as well.

However, the Flames will be a formidable opponent defensively. They have a top-ten penalty kill and their top two defensive pairings are solid. They just don’t have much going for them offensively aside from Matthew Tkahcuk and Johnny Gaudreau.

In the end, this series will probably go the full five games. Two evenly-matched teams that haven’t played each other since October ( a 2-1 overtime win for Winnipeg).

The Jets just have too much offensive firepower for the Flames to overcome. I’m probably being generous to say this will go five games, but I do think the Flames will make it interesting in defeat.

Mikko Koivu #9 of the Minnesota Wild (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

(10) Minnesota Wild vs. (7) Vancouver Canucks

The play-in series really benefits these two teams for the obvious reason of having the chance to extend their seasons. In a normal 16-team format, both the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks would’ve been left out.

This is another toss-up matchup in the play-in round, and that means exciting hockey that we’ll hopefully get to consume later this summer.

The Wild have are a surprise team this season. They won eight of their last 11 games before the pause, and were just one point out of a wildcard spot behind the Predators.

The Canucks were going the other direction. They were firmly in playoff position in the Pacific Division before stumbling a bit in February and falling back into being one of the fringe wildcard teams.

I like the Canucks to win this play-in series and advance thanks to having more weapons on offense, but it wouldn’t be a major upset if Minnesota gets past them with Vancouver’s unstable situation in net.

(6) Nashville Predators vs. (11) Arizona Coyotes

This is going to be a fun series to watch for many reasons. First and foremost, you have two teams who have very different strengths and weaknesses.

The Coyotes are a rugged team defensively and have an outstanding goaltending duo in Antti Raantta and Darcy Kuemper.

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I won’t be surprised in the slightest if this ends up being a very low-scoring series, and the more consistent and steady goaltending to will win the series. That means Juuse Saros can hopefully pick up where he left off on his hot streak on March, or possibly Pekka Rinne can come in refreshed and like the vintage Pekka Rinne.

The Predators definitely have more depth and skill with their top-six forwards with the likes of FIlip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund.

The pause might actually benefit a team like the Predators who has a roster full of talent, but was very inconsistent for many reasons during the season. Give me the Predators to win this series in four games.

(12) Chicago Blackhawks vs (5) Edmonton Oilers

This matchup features darkhorse teams that I can see making some noise if they make it to the 16-team field. Both teams have plenty of superstar players that can put their respective team on their back and go on a run.

Starting with the Oilers, they have two of the best players in the league with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl that will undoubtedly get their fair share of the highlight reel.

But you can’t overlook the Blackhawks in this matchup. They have a superstar of their own in Patrick Kane, while also having plenty of veterans who have ample amounts of playoff experience.

I’m looking forward to this play-in series more so than any other in the first round. Whichever one of these teams advance is a team I’ll have circled as one that’s going to make some noise.

I’ll stick with the Oilers to win this series in exciting fashion, and I also have the Oilers representing the Western Conference in the Stanley Cup Final.

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