Fansided

5 reasons why Nashville Predators will win Stanley Cup

By Derek Grochowski

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Catfish are seen on the ice during the playing of the national anthem prior to the start of Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 11: Catfish are seen on the ice during the playing of the national anthem prior to the start of Game Six of the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators at the Bridgestone Arena on June 11, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Get the catfish ready and plan the parade on Broadway. The Nashville Predators are going to win the 2018 Stanley Cup.

The Nashville Predators came up just short of the Stanley Cup last season, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 6 of the 2016-17 Stanley Cup playoffs.

This season will be a different story.

The Predators’ journey begins Thursday, April 12. The Presidents’ Trophy winners, who finished the season 53-18-11 with 117 points, will bring the Stanley Cup to Nashville this season for these five reasons.

BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 19: Pekka Rinne
BUFFALO, NY – MARCH 19: Pekka Rinne /

5. Pekka Rinne for Vezina 2018

Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne is a favorite to win this year’s Vezina Trophy. It should not come as a surprise, as Rinne has been among the top goalies in the league for several years. This is the best team that Rinne has had in front of him and his numbers show it. His top-level play is one of the many reasons the Nashville Predators will win this year’s Stanley Cup.

When it comes to stats, Rinne is one of the best in the league. He is currently third in the league with 42 wins and carries only 13 losses. His dominant play is one of the top reasons the Nashville Predators are leading the chase for the President’s Trophy. Games are easy to win when you only need to score one goal. Rinne was able to help his offense out by posting a league-high with eight shutouts.

As the playoffs begin, the Predators will be relying on Rinne keeping his Vezina form. When he is on his game is one of the best in the game. Teams will have a difficult enough time getting into the offensive zone with Nashville’s great defense. It gets even harder when they need to face a goalie like Rinne. One of his most underrated abilities is playing the puck. At times he can seem like a third defenseman. He is great at making breakout passes that give opposing teams less time to make line changes or set up a good forecheck. His ability to play the puck is one of the reasons that Nashville is one of the best transition teams in the league.

Pekka Rinne’s Vezina level play is one of the reasons that the Nashville Predators will be Stanley Cup Champions.

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