The NHL regular season officially returned to action on the ice on Wednesday with eight games, and the Nashville Predators fortunately won the night without even having to suit up.
Sitting four points back of the second wildcard position in the Western Conference, the three teams directly ahead of the Predators all lost. And better yet, they lost in regulation.
The Predators get back into action on Thursday night to host the Chicago Blackhawks, a long-time division rival that they have split the season series with so far with two more matchups remaining.
First off all, if you ask any true Predators fan back in September if they would take being only four points back of the wildcard going into late February, they would've probably initially laughed at you and then said of course. Very few would have believed it was actually possible considering what happened the season prior, barely avoiding last place in the entire NHL.
The Predators need only 12 points in their final 25 games to at least pass their dismal 68 points last season.
And yet, there's still plenty of reasons to feel worried about what might happen in the remaining games for the Nashville Predators in the 2025-26 season.