NHL Playoff Predictions 2012: Why the Nashville Predators Will Win Stanley Cup

Without question, a lot is on the line this postseason for the Nashville Predators. If they don't win the Stanley Cup—or at least make a deep run in the playoffs—will pending free agent Ryan Suter return?

Losing one-half of the NHL's elite defensive pairing alongside Shea Weber would be a crushing blow to the organization.

Luckily for Nashville fans, they won't have to worry about appeasing either player's championship aspirations because I believe the Predators will win this year's Stanley Cup.

Quite simply, the Predators are one of the most balanced team in the NHL. Alongside Suter and Weber is one of the game's elite goalies, Pekka Rinne, who led the NHL with 43 wins this season while compiling a .923 save percentage and 2.39 goals-against average.

The team added Hal Gill at the trade deadline, who is excellent on the penalty kill and bolstered the team's defensive depth.

Last season's weakness, scoring, seems to be a non-issue this year. The team is solid offensively, finishing ninth in the NHL in goals scored, with 10 players scoring 10 goals or more. Plus, the return of Alexander Radulov from Russia has given the team a potential playmaker and game-breaker.

If the more-mature Radulov continues his solid adjustment back to the NHL game and can be a factor in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Nashville will be scary.

They're already scary on the power play, leading the NHL by scoring on 21.7 percent of all power play opportunities.

Oh, and they have the 10th-best penalty killing unit in the league, turning aside power play opportunities 83.6 percent of the time.

The road to the Cup won't be easy. A first-round clash with the Detroit Red Wings could be brutal and a possible match with the Vancouver Canucks could be looming in Round 2.

But Nashville's depth, balance and basic lack of weaknesses makes them my pick to win this year's Stanley Cup. They've been building up to this moment for several years and the pieces seem to be in place for a championship this season.

Get ready to party, Smashville—this is the Predators year.

Hit me up on Twitter—my tweets are growing a playoff beard.