If the Nashville Predators are going to make it into the elite class of teams vying for the Stanley Cup this year, they will have to earn their spot, and it’s going to be a grind to get there.
On Tuesday, April 19, 2022, the Preds wrapped up a five-game homestand over eight days by playing a rescheduled make-up match against their potential first-round rival – the Calgary Flames.
As this showdown got underway, it represented the start of the last six games of the regular season, with the Nashville squad needing to secure six total points in that time to clinch their position in the post-season that will enable them to pursue the capturing of Lord Stanley’s Cup. The last time they got close to kissing the sporting world’s most famous piece of hardware came in 2017 when the Preds went on a run that went six games deep into the Finals before ultimately losing the series 4 – 2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Now, the citizens of Smashville hope for a return to those glory days at the end of this campaign with only a slightly better outcome.
There were many reasons to celebrate this occasion. First, it was a big night for goalie Juuse Saros, who spent his birthday minding the net. Next, it was announced that Center Matt Duchene was playing in his 900th NHL game, and number 95 went on to mark that milestone by registering his 40th goal of the season to become the highest-scoring player in franchise history.
Next, it was fan appreciation night, and all food and drinks were 50 percent off through the end of the first intermission, and much of the Predator-themed merchandise and apparel was featured as heavily discounted. An on-ice competition featured youth from the inner city hockey development program demonstrating their skills during the second break. The house band represented even more diversity for the night – Sam McCrary and The Mix. Their funky and fine stylings and select covers were so hot that it’s a wonder that the ice didn’t melt.
Finally, with the Predators emerging victorious in an exciting shootout, fans received a night of hockey they could genuinely appreciate as their team came away with a 3 to 2 win. Now down to five games left in the regular 2021-2022 season, getting that final four-point seems a little less daunting, so Smashville can breathe just a little bit easier – until it’s time to drop the puck and do it all over again.
An earlier version of this article was published in Music City Nashville, co-authored with Laura Lynch.
Related Links: For more information on the NASHVILLE PREDATORS and the other organizations mentioned, please visit the following links – Nashville Predators | Sam McCrary and The Mix | Bridgestone Arena
