5 reasons why Nashville Predators will win Stanley Cup

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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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 31: Mike Fisher /

1. X Factor: Eeli Tolvanen

The Predators’ roster is so deep that Eeli Tolvanen cannot crack the lineup. This is a very good problem for the Predators to have. Tolvanen is a former first-round pick who had a great season in the KHL as an 18-year-old. He finished the year in Russia with 38 points in 51 games. Nashville signed Tolvanen to an NHL contract once his season was over. He has only played three games for the Predators so far, and has been held without a point. They are such a deep team with talent in every position that Tolvanen is developing slowly and not being forced into the lineup.

How can a player with no points and next to no experience be an X Factor? Because injuries are going to happen. It is the playoffs and no team stay healthy for the whole thing. The other thing that happens every season is a player has a breakout performance. Tolvanen is the perfect candidate for both situations. It is a great luxury for Nashville to be able to plug in a player with the talent of Tolvanen. Once Tolvanen makes the lineup he will make it incredibly difficult for the Predators to take him out. He can follow the path of Kevin Fiala last season and have his breakout moment in the playoffs and carry that momentum into next season.

Next: 10 reasons Stanley Cup Playoffs are better than NBA Playoffs

The ability to add a player off the bench of this caliber is why the last reason the Nashville Predators will win the Stanley Cup.

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