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The Nashville Predators made a magical run to the Stanley Cup Finals last season. They lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. Heading into this season, Nashville feels like they have unfinished business to take care of.
They are currently in first place in the Central Division with a 20-7-4 record and 44 points. Nashville has won their last 15 out of 20 games. Nashville dominated the Vancouver Canucks 7-1 on Wednesday Night and the Edmonton Oilers 4-0 last night. Nashville is a team right now that is ready to make another run and win the Stanley Cup.
Nashville has scored 106 goals so far this season and they have given up 85. Filip Forsberg leads the Predators in points scored with 32 (15 goals and 17 assists). Viktor Arvidsson has scored 11 goals and recorded 11 assists so far this season. Kevin Fiala has scored seven goals and recorded 15 assists.
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Craig Smith has scored 12 goals and recorded nine assists so far this season. Roman Josi has scored seven goals and recorded 14 assists so far this season. P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm has scored six goals and recorded 15 assists.
Kyle Turris has been a spark plug for the Predators for the down the middle of the ice. He was acquired in a trade from the Ottawa Senators in November. In 16 games played, Turris has scored four goals and recorded 12 assists.
Nick Bonino is also a good player down the middle for the Predators. He signed as a free agent this off-season. Bonino knows what it is like to win championships because he won back-to-back with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has scored six goals this season with Nashville in 20 games played.
Ryan Johansen has also been solid down the middle for Nashville. He has scored three goals and recorded 16 assists so far this season in 28 games played.
The Predators get goal scoring from different players every night. They play together and they are well coached by Peter Laviolette. The Predators defense is the main backbone of this team and so is goalie Pekka Rinne. His record is 17-4-3 with a .927 save percentage and a 2.34 GAA, along with two shutouts.
Backup Juuse Saros's record is 3-3-1 with a .911 save percentage and a 2.94 GAA, along with one shutout.
Nashville's power play percentage is 27.4% which is second in the NHL right behind the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nashville's penalty kill percentage is 83.1% and it is ranked 8th in the NHL.
Defenseman Ryan Ellis has yet to play a game for the Predators this season and when he comes back, it will make this team even more dangerous. Nashville has a serious chance to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals if they keep playing at a high level. Their speed and physicality is a problem for opponents. It wouldn't be surprising if Nashville go on to lift the Stanley Cup in June.
