Stanley Cup Finals: How the Nashville Predators will win their first Cup
To many, the rise of the Nashville Predators is somewhat of a surprise. But, after four games in the Stanley Cup Final, they are the team to beat.
A statement is being made on the National Hockey League. It is one that is refreshing and exciting. Quiet possibly, it is just want the sport needed. In a era where the old hats are winning the Stanley Cup, there is a new kid on the block. It is the Nashville Predators, and they are here to win.
Coming into the season, the Predators ranked 13th in terms of overall odds to win Lord Stanley’s Cup, at 40-1. Now one week into June, the predators are two wins away from their first ever Stanley Cup title. From mouth wash jokes to country music and catfish, there’s a new vibrant energy rolling through the NHL.
Just wait until they win the Cup.
Don’t think it can happen? It might be time to finally stop doubting ‘Smashville’. Even Vegas is trending their way, according to OddsShark. At the start of the Finals, the Predators were a +400 odds to win it all. After a 9-2 thrashing (shout out to my Atlanta friends) of the Penguins over the course of Games three and four in Nashville, the odds are now +105. The the Penguins dropped from a -600 to -125 odds.
Sure, the Preds lost both games on the road earlier this series. However, it was obvious that for two-thirds of Game 1, they were the better team. When you step back and look at the series stats, you can see what is making the games entertaining and close. Each game is physical, and Nashville is not backing down.
Both teams are averaging around 17 penalty minutes per game, but the Penguins are not taking advantage. Through four games, the Predators have allowed only a single power play goal, successfully killing almost every one of the 16 penalty kills they’ve been on. Contrast that with them scoring on 33 percent of their power play opportunities, and you have the makings of a series.
Add to that the disparity in shots on goal per game, with Nashville getting 31 shots and the Penguins only 22. Oh, and the Preds are out hitting the Pens 35 to 31 per game.
That not enough for you? Let’s talk just games in Pittsburgh. The Predators out-shot the Penguins 64 to 39 and out hit them 78-66. Granted that Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne allowed four goals on eleven shots in Game 1, but it appears that he may have started to relax and play his game now.
The major concern for the Penguins is the silence of Evgeni Malkin. While he has 26 points in 23 games played this post-season, only four points were earned in the Finals. Same for Sidney Crosby. It is obvious that P.K. Subban and the Predators defense is not stepping down from the fight.
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If they win tonight — which the numbers suggest they will – Lord Stanley’s Cup will be finding a home in the Music City.