The Predators are on the hunt

[HFpapi]

A team of intrigue after their massive offseason spending spree. A slow start as this team found its feet was to be expected but they instead fell completely flat and were a colossal disappointment until recently.

It seems however, they've started to hit their stride and have won 4 straight. Too little too late perhaps? A 10 point gap to close for the final wildcard spot this deep into the season might be impossible but they have some of the hottest players in the league right now.

Filip Forsberg: Riding an 8 game point streak. 15 points in those 8 games including 7 in his last 2.

Roman Josi: 6 game point streak with 9 points in those games.

Jonathan Marchessault: 9 game point streak, 12 points during that streak including a 4 point game last night.

Steven Stamkos: 4 game point streak, 6 points in those games, producing much better lately compared to early on.

Too late for the Preds or time to start buying stock?

As I say, they are in a massive hole this deep into the year but look at some of the teams ahead of them. Does anyone think the Flames are a playoff team? Surely they fall back to earth. The Ducks are ahead of them, who knows what happens with the Canucks, they may implode if they have to trade Miller and Boeser. Utah HC and St Louis are actually good teams and will be tough to pass. Kraken I can see falling.

Click to read more...

 

[HighNote]

They'd have to go something like 24-8-4 the remainder of the season.

 

[MVP of West Hollywd]

Too far back

 

[Iwishihadaspacebar]

They started too slow but they look a problem for anyone playing them, even more so if Saros saves a few more shots.

Marchessault had 12 points in October and November (26 games) and since then has 26 points in 20 games. If he continues at that pace he'll be over 90 points on the season.

 

[BB88]

It’s about impossible to gain 10 more points than all the other teams before them

 

[Zalos]

I mean sure. Do a Blues and you can get in the playoffs.

 

[HFpapi]

It’s about impossible to gain 10 more points than all the other teams before them

Very true but one thing they have going for them as I mentioned in the OP is that I can easily see Calgary. Seattle, and Anaheim, shitting the bed down the stretch.

Vancouver, St Louis, and Utah will be tougher to jump but the Canucks are a wild card (figuratively and almost literally) due to the Miller/Boeser situations being in flux.

 

[qc14]

To hit 92 points, the cutoff for the Caps last year, they would need to play at a 116 point pace the rest of the season. The current President's Trophy leaders, the Capitals, are playing at a 120 point pace. Winnipeg is at 111, Vegas is at 108.

10 points is a massive gap in the NHL. Lets say they have another U2-esque streak and go 16-0-2 over the next 18 games. If Calgary goes just 9-5-4 (pretty close to their pace so far), Nashville will end up only 2 points ahead with one extra game played. They would need to be the best team in hockey over the remaining ~35 games and have none of Calgary, Vancouver, and St. Louis improve on their current pace. It's not happening

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Too far back, would take a miracle

 

[Toby91ca]

They started too slow but they look a problem for anyone playing them, even more so if Saros saves a few more shots.

Marchessault had 12 points in October and November (26 games) and since then has 26 points in 20 games. If he continues at that pace he'll be over 90 points on the season.

Not saying he can’t do it, but continuing that pace doesn’t get him over 90pts

 

[dirtydanglez]

10 pts is a massive gap at this point

 

[Stewie Griffin]

Very true but one thing they have going for them as I mentioned in the OP is that I can easily see Calgary. Seattle, and Anaheim, shitting the bed down the stretch.

Vancouver, St Louis, and Utah will be tougher to jump but the Canucks are a wild card (figuratively and almost literally) due to the Miller/Boeser situations being in flux.

Unfortunately for them none of those teams except for Calgary, who has 10 more points, are even in playoff spots. So even if Nashville somehow made a next to impossible jump in the standings, they would barely be in a playoff spot.

 

[flyfysher]

Good that the Preds are playing well but you should take one game at a time given your team’s position right now.

 

[Flgatorguy87]

I think it's too far, but honestly, it's kind of reassuring because this is basically the same team we will have next year. I will feel better if they actually play strong hockey and miss the playoffs in a close chase down scenario vs. floating in no man's land without any idea of what will change. Stamkos is actually showing he's got something left in the tank at center and March has been exactly what we thought we signed, just 6 weeks too late.

If nothing else it gives a little more intrigue to the games, but alas we will certainly hear about the potential early picks we will miss out on when we are drafting in the teens.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Preds playing better was just bound to happen at some point. I thought it would come earlier, so a little too late.

 

[BonMorrison]

Hell yeah, playing themselves right out of a high pick.

 

[Stewie Griffin]

I'd also like to point out this thread title could get someone arrested without context

 

[BB79]

Too little too late. They came back from 5-1 against SJ which is great, but it also means they went down 5-1 to SJ to begin with

I'd also like to point out this thread title could get someone arrested without context

Just don't talk about their PDO