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Nashville Predators On Track to Win Their First Stanley Cup

By Alyssa Naimoli

May 7, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators players celebrate on the bench in the closing seconds of a 3-1 win against the St. Louis Blues in game six of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators players celebrate on the bench in the closing seconds of a 3-1 win against the St. Louis Blues in game six of the second round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Nashville Predators Will Face the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday Night For the First Match-Up of the Stanley Cup Finals. The Predators Have Been Solid This Postseason And Have a Recipe to Crack the Reigning Stanley Cup Champs.

The Nashville Predators want the nab their first Stanley Cup and they’re on the right path to do so. Reigning Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins, are coming into the Cup Finals with full force to defend their title, and the Cup, but the Predators are working hard to steal the title.

The Music City is ready to give it their all in the Finals to take the Stanley Cup home to Nashville. Nashville was an underdog from the moment the postseason came around, but after defeating the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks they’re a team to be reckoned with.

The Predators might have started their postseason as underdogs, but they’re ready to play for keeps. Nashville is on the path to winning their first Stanley Cup and they’re very capable of doing so.

The Nashville Predators Can Win the Stanley Cup

A lot of NHL fans might be placing their bets on the Penguins because of last year’s outcome but the Predators are more than capable of winning the title this season. Between the elite play of Pekka Rinne in goal, heightened defense and the consistency of their offense, the Predators are on a roll.

Rinne has been the standout in this series. Every Predator has found his time to shine but it has been incredibly difficult to ignore the elite-level play that Rinne puts on display each night. Rinne, with Nashville’s defense, singlehandedly shut down the entirety of the Blackhawks’ offense and stifled them the entire series.

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Not to mention, Nashville’s defense has been significantly productive. P.K Subban, Roman Josi and Nashville’s top blueliners have stoof out as much in offensive plays as they have defending the net. These players use every movement on the ice to assist in a play, making one or stopping one, to help their team win.

The Predators’ offense has been electrifying. Production has been consistent and beneficial for the Predators which is evident in their place in the Cup final. Offense has been steady and persistant with reliance that the team’s defense doesn’t need any help. Colton Sissons and Filip Forsberg have been just two of the Preds’ top performers, but production has been coming from everywhere.

Going For the Win

The Nashville Predators can win this series and take home their first Stanley Cup. This team has proved repeatedly this season that they have what it takes to take down even the most powerful of teams.

The Predators are second to the Penguins in goals for with 47, compared to the Pens’ 58. Despite that, the Preds lead the reigning champs significantly with their 29 goals-against compared to the Penguins’ 44 goals-against. This is a testament to just how well Rinne and the defense have been working to Nashville.

Facing the Penguins is about to be a difficult feat, but the Predators aren’t shying away from the challenge. Nashville has been explosive in the postseason and they won’t let the fear of falling short keep them from giving Pittsburgh everything they’ve got.

The Predators are going to bring their best defensive game and their blueline is going to continue to be as strong as ever. Pittsburgh has a way of intruding upon their defensive opposition and, with their ability to have goals come from almost any player, have found a way to get to the net, but Rinne will be an entirely new battle. Getting through the Predators’ defense is one thing but getting through Rinne is the second battle to face.

The Predators have a tough battle ahead of them but it isn’t so farfetched. Nashville has the power and flair to get through the Penguins. The Preds are closer than ever to the Stanley Cup and it won’t be difficult to give it all they’ve got.

Bring on the Cup Final

The Predators are ready, as are their fans. Nashville is poised to make an incredibly strong final stretch for the Stanley Cup. They’ve proved that their offensive boom and brick wall defense and goal-tending can be Stanley Cup worthy.

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The Predators will face off against the Penguins shortly and will want to set the pace for the series. These two teams have very similar styles of play, which will make the series that much more interesting. May the best team win, though I wouldn’t be so surprised to see the Stanley Cup headed to Nashville.

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