So... Nashville is 1st in the NHL...

[VanIslander]

I have to assume this is on the backs of Weber, Rinne, and Forsberg/Rebeiro.

The top reasons:

• Weber, D. A constant Norris finalist who has deserved a trophy or two in the past.
• Rinne, G. Healthy again, and anyone who at all questioned his chops as a top-5 NHL goalie for years already is out to lunch.
• Laviolette, coach. The 15-year NHL coach has won the Stanley Cup, been a deserving Jack Adamys trophy finalist and has been rightfully and astutely pimped as the offensive-minded spark to an already defensively-disciplined (thanks to departed Trotz) squad that could spell success, as many, many preseason pundits noted.
• A tie between the rookie (Forsberg) and the resurgent passing pivot returning to his previous form (great in Dallas for a couple of years) who's been added in the off season (Ribeiro).
• Dmen Josi and Ellis are skilled puck movers the coach has used well; forwards Craig Smith and Colin Wilson are 25-year-old forwards who have impressed int he past (Smith had 24 goals, 50+ points last season).
  6. 20-year-old Seth Jones (remember him? He isn't old enough to drink but the sophomore is doing his defensive assignments solidly, developing well).

And I haven't even mentioned guys like 25+ goals on-pace-for James Neal or resurgent, now-healthy Mike Fisher.

Any time you feel compelled to mention the greatness of half a team and its coach, one knows the team is doing well!

The Preds are one star top-6 forward and one impact third liner away from the cup imo.

 

[tampa pred]

The Preds success really should not be that surprising. Last year's team was not nearly as bad as it seemed. Pekka missed 53 games and the Preds missed the playoffs by 3 points. The young D and forwards have all improved, Forsberg is having a breakout rookie campaign, and a couple of the offseason acquisitions (Neal and Ribs) have payed off.

The biggest difference this year is Lavy's system. The Preds have been built from the goal out. Playing an ultra-aggressive offensive game plays to this strength since they have the goalie and D to cover for the mistakes that will occur. They also have some very good offensive D-men that can handle the puck well.

 

[Pred303]

the statistical analysis is easy. the NHL is a 3-2 league, and the preds are averaging 3 goals per game (3 or more goals in each of the last 11 games) while having an elite goalie playing at the top of his game with a 2.00 gaa. so their current record becomes self explanatory. as long as the preds score 3 goals per game with their defense (at least among the 5 best 1st thru 6th in the league) and goaltending (easily arguably among the 3 best in the league) they are a tough team to beat.

now, speaking as a pred fan, like most teams, the preds raw talent wise are underrated by many, and overrated by our own fans. we lead the league in points and winning percentage, but leading the league doesn't mean you're the best team in the league as most of us know. will the preds win the presidents trophy? probably not, it's only halfway thru the season. but. this is a good team. a dangerous team for others to play. especially if they continue to score 3 goals per game.

 

[abt424]

It's entirely baffling to me, the success the Predators have had this year...hodgepodge forward group, superb blueline, good goaltender...it's still just crazy to me the success they've had with that scoring group up front.

They've won enough at this point, that they're pretty much a lock playoff team. It's still just crazy to me that they've had this much success...particularly Rinne, who i really thought would regress without that stifling Trotz system in place. But instead, the opposite.

As a hawks fan, I have been watching the preds.

They are very, very good and are nothing like the Avs last year.

The preds defense has been great recently, it's the offensive prowess that's the difference.

They are a dangerous team and won't be going away easily this year.

 

[Drake744]

The Preds are one star top-6 forward and one impact third liner away from the cup imo.

Kessel/Vermette

 

[Nothingman*]

Preds are tough. In every aspect from G, D to scoring. People thinking this is a Trott coached team or something. They are very good and could come out of the West.

 

[HawksFanTim]

This season pretty much confirms that Trotz had worn out his welcome.

Very good coach but they needed at least a partial shift towards the offensive side of the game to really contend for a cup.

 

[RoyalAir]

I don't really see any reason (aside from injuries) that the Preds can't continue to play at this level. They still haven't lost consecutive games so far.

I am concerned about the ability to close out a lead, and a little concerned about Rinne. Lately, he seems to be a little over-aggressive, and it's kinda been biting him. He's also going to need a little more rest down the stretch so as not to be overly tired heading into the postseason.

I've been very impressed with the forwards as a whole, notably the new additions. Ribeiro has been nothing short of a revelation, Neal has been much better than I ever expected, and Forsberg and Jarnkrok are both playing very well.

If the Preds are to go after a forward at the deadline, a guy like Vermette (not so much Kessel) would be a solid addition.

 

[BonMorrison]

If there's one cog in the offense that people are overlooking, it's definitely Colin Wilson. He's been flying this year.

 

[Drake744]

If there's one cog in the offense that people are overlooking, it's definitely Colin Wilson. He's been flying this year.

Agreed. It seemed like he could never find his way out of Trotz's dog house, now he can't seem to do anything wrong under Lavy. He's the perfect coach for him right now.

 

[Wolfpuck]

If you take a team with a stout defense and an elite goaltender, add in some veteran forward depth to go with some up and coming youngsters, and put an up tempo offensive minded coach like Laviolette at the helm, you're going to have a good time.

It's impossible to predict how they'll do in the playoffs, but they have the right combination to go far.

 

[PredsV82]

How has Neal been....happy to see the team doing so well.

actually Neal has underperformed(not a lot but he certainly isnt on the 30+ goal pace that we expected when we traded for him) and is currently hurt, which makes our rise to the top even more surprising.

 

[Frenchy]

Same as Colorado last season, pretty much: godly season for the goaltender is the biggest part of their record.

except that Nash have an insane Dcore too . True that Pekka Rinne is their best player , but he got a good group of Dmen infront of him ... something that Col didnt/dont have .

 

[Soundgarden]

If there's one cog in the offense that people are overlooking, it's definitely Colin Wilson. He's been flying this year.

Was about to come on and say this. Wilson has been playing like he did in the lock-out shortened season before his shoulder injury.

 

[LetsGoBLUES91]

Like what? Outside of being in first in the division?

Varlamov was an unproven goalie.

Patrick Roy was a First year head coach.

They had 3 good/elite centers.

Their defense wasn't very good.

Their possession numbers were awful.

Nashville on the other hand.

A proven elite goaltender that was coming off of injury.

Laviolette is a proven coach with a Stanley Cup, and Stanley cup final's under his belt.

We don't have an Elite young center. However we do have Wing Talent.

Our defense is top 3 in the league.

Our Possession numbers are top 5.

Where are the similarities?

I mean in that year they were very similar. Not in the sense that in 15-16 the Preds will suck.

Varlamov was Rinne good just about the entire season.

They had players that overacheived significantly.

Their top players played the way they were supposed to.

Everything clicked at the right time.

My post wasn't a knock on the Preds it was a compliment. Avs won the Central.

 

[tampa pred]

I would guess that a team that leads the league in 5 on 5 play with near the league bottom special teams play would have an advantage in the playoffs. When the whistles get swallowed, special teams play becomes less important.

 

[jerseyjinx94]

Filip Forsberg is a beast. Congrats on a great season so far.

 

[TofoEmptyNt]

I'm really jealous of Nashville's D. Weber, Josi, Jones, Ellis is pretty solid. Ellis was kind of the wildcard due to his size, but he seems to be getting it done. Always liked that guy since his world junior days.

 

[Knotty Moog]

I really like Nashville... I just wish Neal and Ribeiro weren't on the team or they would probably be my #2

 

[KingWantsCup]

Both teams are based in the USA.
Both play in the NHL.
Both teams' rosters consist entirely of humans.

Rinne?

 

[wadesworld]

Watch out the Rangers are coming!!
And remember the Presidents trophy is kinda worthless just ask Vancouver.

Honestly I'd rather not win it (and of course that may well happen). Usually seems to be a jinx.

 

[Bending and Tending]

Where are the similarities?

The wording makes a big difference.

1. Varlamov had some pretty good numbers in Washington, some of which are very similar to Rinne's numbers.

2. Both had new head coaches with the team. Roy was a coach in major junior as well, so it's not like he wouldn't have a clue. Especially coaching the same organization he played for, let alone run by people he played with.

3. Both have upcoming (if they're not already here ) offensive threats.

 

[alexny]

Preds are tough. In every aspect from G, D to scoring. People thinking this is a Trott coached team or something. They are very good and could come out of the West.

Yes.

They may fall back a bit, but they're good. And they're entertaining to watch.

 

[Drake744]

I would guess that a team that leads the league in 5 on 5 play with near the league bottom special teams play would have an advantage in the playoffs. When the whistles get swallowed, special teams play becomes less important.

This is why our special teams struggles only sort of aggravate me.

 

[Dubi Doo]

You have to admit there Are some real similarities.

There are no similarities. Nashville has an elite defense and goaltender, and good scoring depth. The AVs had an elite offense that's it. I can see Nashville making some noise in the playoffs. They have a nice mix of veteran leadership and young budding talent.