Fansided

Projecting every NHL team’s chances of hoisting the Stanley Cup in 2019

By Griffin Youngs

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 07: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 10: Ryan Johansen #92, Filip Forsberg #9, and Craig Smith #15 congratulate teammate P.K. Subban #76 on scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 10, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 10: Ryan Johansen #92, Filip Forsberg #9, and Craig Smith #15 congratulate teammate P.K. Subban #76 on scoring a goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period in Game Seven of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 10, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

2. Nashville Predators

Last years Presidents’ Trophy winners will look for another shot at the Stanley Cup, and they didn’t need to make a bunch of moves this offseason to bolster their lineup considering they have everything they need.

The Nashville Predators finished last season with a franchise-best 117 points, enough for their first ever Presidents’ Trophy before losing in seven games to the Winnipeg Jets in the second round.

Why they could win

Nashville runs a balanced attacks from all fronts and has no real weaknesses on its roster. Some fans complained about their lack of improvements this offseason, but honestly what did they even need to do? The team in it’s current state is built to win the Stanley Cup this year, but several years down the road. They have everything a Cup contending team needs.

Nashville has undoubtedly the best defense core in the league hands down. Players like P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm are proven number one defenseman and could be the best defender on several other teams in the league. They can do it all, generate offense, provide solid defense in their own end and have the ability to out physical other teams when push comes to shove.

The offense doesn’t get enough love when it comes to the Predators, as well. Each line is everything you need to make a deep playoff run. An elite first line, only a slight downgrade for the second line, a young third line centered by an experienced veteran and an offensively capable fourth line. What’s not to like here?

In net, Nashville has last year’s Vezina winner Pekka Rinne who posted a career best .927 save percentage en route to the award. Behind him is his future replacement and a contender for best name in hockey, Juuse Saros. Again, no weakness here.

Why they won’t win

Even though Pekka Rinne won the Vezina trophy last season as the leagues best goaltender, he struggled heavily in the postseason last year, especially against the Jets in the second round where he was pulled during three separate games in the series. Aside from 2017, Rinne has a reputation of falling off in the postseason, and the Predators can’t win it all without him.

As great as Nashville’s defense is, their third pairing is bit of a mess. They brought back an aging Dan Hamuis to make it manageable, but it’s still going to be a liability on the ice. Luckily their top four is so obnoxiously good, it might not even matter, but even the smallest bit of weakness gets exposed when the playoffs roll around.

Conclusion

The Nashville Predators are such a fun team to watch, and it will be no exception this year. This could be their final year to really go for it with Rinne as his contract expires at the end of the year, and that motivation for the team as a whole to win the Stanley Cup for a guy who has been one of the builders of the organization might push them over the top. Playoffs are almost a certainty, and another deep playoff run seems on the horizon.

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