The Nashville Predators have been bad this season. That’s probably a completely overused take. Tell us something we didn’t know or haven’t read about literally hundreds of times this year, right? All true and valid. Predators’ fans are likely fed up with hearing the same thing over and over again. Unfortunately, not much else has emerged to talk about regarding the Predators. They’ve been truly awful.
Their season ended a long time ago. The writing may have even been on the wall after the first month of the season, depending on whether you’re a half-full or half-empty kind of person.
So, for the last quarter of the season, maybe more, the games for the Predators have been essentially pointless. Some younger players are playing for roster spots next season, while others are playing for new contracts during the summer.
Looking at this season, every player should be playing for pride from here on out, right until game 82. Believe it or not, they can still achieve something, but it will not be easy. They need to avoid a historically bad season — a season that would see them fail to reach 30 wins.
Nashville Predators are in historically bad territory and trying to salvage anything they can
The Predators have had fewer than 30 wins in a season just five times in their franchise’s history, and one of those seasons — 2012-13 — was shortened due to starting late because of a lockout. Achieving fewer than 30 wins is usually reserved for rebuilding teams, something the Predators were not supposed to be.
Since 2018-19, excluding the 2020-21 modified season due to Covid, only 21 teams have failed to register more than 30 wins in a season. Now, that may not sound shockingly low, but remember, some of those 21 squads are repeat offenders due to rebuilding — think the San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks.
Also, keep in mind, the 2019-20 season was cut short — again due to Covid. That season saw six teams fall short of the 30-win mark, but three had 29 wins with each team (Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, and San Jose Sharks) having more than 10 games to play, and one team (New Jersey Devils) had 28 wins, leaving 13 games on the table.
There aren’t many positives to be drawn from this season — maybe none at all. But like a game that is getting out of hand with still a period to go, teams often strive to finish on a positive note. The aim is to end the game with something to feel good about. Well, that’s how the Predators should approach the last stretch of games before closing the door on this nightmarish season.
However, it will not be easy. After their 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on April 3, the Predators are three victories shy of hitting the 30-win mark and only have six games remaining. Playing .500 hockey right now certainly seems like a stretch for this squad. After all, they have lost their last five contests and are 2-8 in their last 10 games.
To make matters worse, their last six games are mostly against playoff-bound teams — arguably contenders — and those who are desperate, looking to qualify. The two exceptions are the New York Islanders, whom the Predators play at home on April 8, and the Utah Hockey Club, whom the Predators will face twice before ending the season.
The Islanders aren’t mathematically eliminated yet, but they’re getting close. MoneyPuck gives them a meager 2.9 percent chance of qualifying for the postseason. Utah’s outlook is even bleaker, with just a 0.1 percent chance.
The Predators are just 3-5 against the opponents they have left on the schedule and have been outscored 26-22.
Examining the final stretch
So, will they make it? Will the Predators avoid finishing below the 30-win mark for just the sixth time in franchise history? As mentioned, they would need to win half of their remaining games, which just seems like a tall task, no matter how you look at it. You could argue that it’s more likely that they lose every remaining game than win three more.
But to be fair, the Predators looked good for stretches during their last loss against the Stars, and they play Dallas in the season finale — a game that may mean very little to the Stars and possibly see them resting some talent as they look ahead to the playoffs. The Predators may be able to sneak out a win there.
They could also tally a victory against the Islanders. The last time they played, the Predators scored four times. The problem was, they surrendered seven. If they can find the same offensive touch, they stand a fair chance. What are the odds they have another defensive meltdown? Maybe best not to answer that.
Their two remaining dates with the Utah Hockey Club might be the Predators’ next best chance of getting a win. Utah put up a valiant fight for the majority of the season, but a wild card spot may be just too far out of reach for them now. So, they may have nothing left to give. Plus, the Predators shut them out during their first meeting of the season. Of course, that means little for the upcoming games, but the Predators will probably take any positive they can get right now.
Filip Forsberg notched two goals against Utah on Nov. 9, and he himself is looking to break 30 this year. The forward is currently sitting at 29 goals and would surely love to join the 30-goal club for the fifth time in his career. Splitting the final two games with Utah should be doable.
Other than those games, the Predators have to play a desperate Montreal Canadiens team, who are fighting to make the playoffs, as they are currently sitting in the second wild card spot. The Predators have had a difficult time this season matching the desperation level of opponents, so a victory here may be a long shot.
The Predators also need to go to Vegas to play the Golden Knights on April 12. Not only are they Cup contenders, but they’re also still in a standings fight themselves. The Golden Knights are trying to hold off the Los Angeles Kings for the top spot in the Pacific Division. It’s possible the Predators could shock the hockey world and leave Sin City with two points, but it may be foolish to take that bet.
The season has been long, unforgiving, and definitely trying for all those involved with the Predators. It’s more than understandable if every single player and coach is counting down the days until the final game is played. Then, they can depart the rink and shut their minds off from hockey for even just a few months.
But there are still games to play, and although it might not count for much, the Predators should try and end this disastrous season on some kind of positive note, as hard as that may be. Breaking 30 wins and giving themselves something to feel good about before starting the summer would be a victory. Playing .500 hockey for the rest of the season and winning three of the remaining six games would certainly be a triumph for this squad. It’s also achievable.