The 2023-24 NHL season is reaching its climax, and teams vying for a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs must solidify their position without delay. The Nashville Predators, once on a scorching streak, have hit a rough patch, suffering three consecutive losses and finding themselves in a precarious position as April begins.
Losses to Arizona, Colorado, and most recently, Boston, have halted the Predators’ momentum after their record-breaking 18-game point streak. Now, with their playoff hopes in jeopardy, Nashville must refocus on securing a spot in the Western Conference playoffs. Despite sitting in the first wild card position with 90 points in 75 games, the Predators’ lead is slim, with only one point separating them from the Los Angeles Kings and six points from the St. Louis Blues, their closest wild card competitor. With just seven games remaining, Nashville must turn things around quickly to avoid missing out on postseason action.
The importance of special teams in hockey cannot be overstated, as they often make the difference in crucial moments. Unfortunately for the Predators, their special teams performance has been lackluster, with a power play conversion rate of 20.2% (ranked 20th) and a penalty kill rate of 76.5% (ranked 26th). Head coach Andrew Brunette has opted to shake things up by adding Luke Evangelista to the first power play unit, aiming to capitalize on scoring opportunities and inject some much-needed offense into the team’s game.
With the Predators’ goal differentials narrowing, it’s imperative for them to find ways to score more goals and win games consistently to secure their playoff berth. The formula is clear: increase offensive output, secure victories, and clinch a spot in the postseason.
