Nashville Predators: Why They Finally Have a Shot to Win the Stanley Cup

The Nashville Predators have been the pesky little brother to the NHL's elite in recent years and haven't made much noise, but a brilliant off-the-ice job by GM David Poile and a deep roster has the Preds in prime position to make a Stanley Cup run.

The last missing piece was Alexander Radulov, The Russian phenom is widely-considered to be the best non-NHL player. After arriving last week, he may only be around for this year's postseason run. So far, though, he's shown no jet lag and seems to be firing on all cylinders.

Poile worked his magic and wowed the NHL despite not moving soon-to-be free agents Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. He's helped to revitalize Hal Gill's career in Nashville as the veteran has gelled nicely with a defense that needed leadership past its first line.

The Preds also reeled in Andrei Kostitsyn from Montreal, a highly-skilled forward with a goal-scoring touch that Nashville needs. He joins his brother Sergei in Nashville and often plays alongside him on their deadly power play.

The addition of Paul Gaustad has improved Nashville as one of the best face-off teams and has helped on many a penalty kill.   

The Preds' strengths undoubtedly start with Weber and Suter, the NHL's top defensive line and perennial Norris Trophy candidates year in and year out. The suffocating play in their zone is unparalleled in the Western Conference. Both stars rank among the top-five in ice time per game.

Weber and Suter's quarterbacking play in the offensive zone is just as impressive. The top-line defensemen have led Nashville to the league's best power play (21.7 percent). Weber's piercing shot is among the best in hockey and Suter has the touch and mobility to act as a fourth forward during the man-advantage. 

Nashville's spread-it-around style of play has resulted in consistent scoring. Usually a low-scoring team, the Preds have a whopping 10 skaters with 10 or more goals.

While many contenders that the Preds may face have lethal top-lines that can score multiple goals game-in and game-out, Nashville is four-, sometimes five- lines deep. Look for unlikely scoring lines of Brandon Yip, Matt Halischuk and Jordin Tootoo to squeak in some goals in the playoffs.

Nashville's depth is even more present in the playoffs. The biggest goal in Preds history, the Game-5 overtime-winner in 2011 that led to their first playoff series win against Anaheim, was scored by Jerred Smithson. Smithson scored only 13 points that season, five points in 53 games this season and has since been traded for one sixth-round pick.    

Top-line forward Martin Erat is having a great year, running away with the team's point-lead (18 goals and 39 assists for 57 points). Excluding the new-addition Radulov, the Preds' top six each have 40 or more points. 

Did I mention they have one of the best goaltenders in the world in Pekka Rinne?

This Nashville team is just weeks away from finishing on top of fierce-rival Detroit Red Wings in the standings, the first time in history that would happen.  

Of course, Nashville's strength begins with the 'Big Three' of Rinne, Weber and Suter. But what puts this team over the top is their incredibly deep roster and the additions of Radulov, Kostitsyn and Gill.