From NHL basement on Dec. 8 to playoff spot: Nashville Predators have had long climb back
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Nashville Predators never doubted they could be a playoff team. Proving it took far longer than expected.
A franchise that ranked dead last in the NHL standings as late as Dec. 8 goes into the final 10 games of the regular season sitting in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Even better, Nashville is just three points back of Utah for the first wild-card berth with a game in hand.
“I think each and every one in this room thought we’d be here, and I think that’s really all that matters,” Predators forward Filip Forsberg said. “Whatever’s going on outside this room is out of our control. Since the trade deadline, I think everyone’s been bought in.
” Nashville snapped a five-game winning streak Thursday night with a 4-2 loss to New Jersey, but the Predators have clawed their way out of a hole that had them 11 points out of the last playoff berth. Since Dec. 9, they are 24-15-5.
“We just got to keep doing everything we can to stay on top,” Forsberg said. Contending has been the expectation since Nashville’s free agent spending spree in July 2024. General manager Barry Trotz signed two-time Stanley Cup champ Steven Stamkos, 2023 playoff MVP Jonathan Marchessault and defenseman Brady Skjei, putting the Predators among the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.