Nashville Predators: Western Conference Qualifying Round Predictions
By Rich Howe
107. Prediction. 2. 112. 3
This series presents the age-old problem of picking a winner between an 8-seed (Flames) and 9-seed (Jets). This matchup up could genuinely go either way.
Both teams flirted all season with the wildcard bubble.
The Flames have some firepower in young stars Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk. The Flames lost the only regular season meeting between these two teams.
It’s going to take an enormous defensive effort from the Flames to keep the score low enough to keep up the Jets. They’re going to have to be opportunistic in the scoring chances they get and capitalize.
The Jets have a defensive weapon in goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who also happens to be a Vezina Trophy finalist. The Jets were on a four-game win streak before the season was paused.
This one is a toss-up. My deciding factor is the fact that Tkachuk plays for the Flames. I will be rooting for the Jets and think they have enough offensive weapons at the top with Blake Wheeler, Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine to make this a potent attack that the Flames just won’t be able to keep up with.