Thanks For Playing: Nashville Predators

Last night the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Nashville Predators by a score of 5-3 to win their best of seven series four games to two, ending the season for Nashville. Today we look back at how the Predators got there, what went wrong & where they go from here.

How they got here:

After missing the post-season in 2009 Nashville went 47-29-6 on the season. That was good enough for 100 points and the number seven seed in the Western Conference. it marked their 5th appearance in the playoffs in the last six seasons.

Pekka Rinne was able to win the job in goal from Dan Ellis and Olympians Shea Weber & Ryan Suter formed a pairing on defense that made Nashville one of the toughest teams to play against.

Forward Patric Hornqvist emerged as their top scorer this season, leading the team with 30 goals & tying forward Steve Sullivan for the team lead in points with 51.

What went wrong:

Anyone that saw Game 5 knows what happened. The Predators had a 4-3 lead going into the final minutes when Chicago forward Marian Hossa was given a five minute major for boarding after pushing Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis into the boards while chasing the puck giving Nashville a Power Play.

The Predators were not able to take advantage of their good fortune however. Forward Martin Erat made a bad pass in the offensive which resulted into a turnover leading to the game tying goal by Chicago forward Patrick Kane.

Despite the game tying goal Nashville still had a four minute Power Play to start the overtime. The Blackhawks were able to kill off the penalty which led to the game winning goal scored by none other than Marian Hossa.

The come from behind win gave Chicago all the momentum in the series and they were able to close out the Predators in six games

Where do they go from here:

The Predators put up a good fight like they do every post-season but yet they just can't get over the hump. They have made the playoffs five times and lost each time in six games. They have never won a game five or a game six.

The foundation is good for this franchise but they need a sniper. Someone who can get them the key goal when they need it. All the great teams have one. Maybe Patric Hornqvist is the guy but until they get one all the Predators will be is a tough out in the playoffs