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Nashville Predators: Three Things We Want to See in Final Two Games

By Chad Minton

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 28: Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the TD Garden on March 28, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Predators won 2-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 28: Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators skates against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the TD Garden on March 28, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Predators won 2-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /
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Play Like the Playoffs are Still Possible 

Carrying momentum into the offseason is a real thing, and that’s exactly what the Nashville Predators need to be playing for in the final two games. Playing for pride is extremely important, especially against two divisional opponents who are battling for the Central Division crown.

How the team responds against the Minnesota Wild in particular on Thursday will show us a lot about this team’s mental fortitude. Will they stay focused and keep that same energy they’ve had for the last month or so that has led to upset victories over teams like Boston, Vegas and Carolina?

We also want to see them continue to build on and show improvement in areas that they struggled in. This is primarily on the offensive end and on the power play.

How sweet it would be to see this team finish on a strong note and put it all together heading into the offseason with some power play success against Minnesota and Colorado.

I also don’t think it would be wise to rush anyone back from an injury, most notably Roman Josi, with the playoffs no longer in reach. Let the young ones finish what they started. They’ve earned that right before many of them head back to the Milwaukee Admirals to represent in the AHL’s postseason.

If the Predators can win their last two games, they’ll finish with 94 points. The same point total they had when they crept into the 2017 postseason and made the unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Final.

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