Nashville Predators Have to Prove They're Not Just a Regular-Season Team

We have come to know the Nashville Predators for exactly what they have been over the past several years: a really good regular-season team.

Another fast start offers more excitement, but simply making the playoffs is no longer good enough for this franchise.

The Predators are unfortunate enough to play in one of the toughest divisions in the NHL but have still managed to consistently put up 90-point seasons in recent years. 

Even advancing past the first round of the playoffs is arguably not good enough for this franchise anymore. It advanced to the conference semifinals in 2011 and 2012. 

Racking up 90-point seasons is all well and good, but anything short of deep playoff runs is considered a failure for this team now. They have all the tools to make a run, anchored by Pekka Rinne, one of the best goaltenders in the game.

Expectations are high once again for the Predators in 2015-2016, and ESPN staff writer Scott Powers has them finishing runner-up in the tough Central Division.

You can't argue with that prediction as the Predators have the daunting task of playing the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues on a regular basis. Not to mention that the other teams in the division continue to improve.

The biggest thing that the Predators have going for them is stability on defense with Shea Weber, Roman Josi and Seth Jones. They're one of the deeper teams on defense in the NHL. This is what keeps them consistently returning to the playoffs, and they'll most likely be there again this season.

It's the ability to score on a regular basis that has always been the Achilles heel for this team. They appeared to take a step forward last season as they narrowly finished in the top half of the league in goals per game. 

The power play also has to show vast improvement for Nashville to become more than just a regular-season team. Potent power plays win playoff games, and failing ones usually send you home early. 

Year	Result
2015	Lost to Chicago in 1st Round
2014	Missed Playoffs
2013	Missed Playoffs
2012	Lost to Phoenix in 2nd Round
2011	Lost to Vancouver in 2nd round
2010	Lost to Chicago in 1st Round

Rinne is an elite goaltender, but he needs more goal support to really push Nashville over the hump. The organization has methodically been building that scoring potential up, mostly through its minor league affiliates.  

Young players like Craig Smith and Filip Forsberg are the future of this offense, with veterans James Neal and Mike Fisher still being worthy scoring threats. These players need to lead the offensive attack and avoid long scoring droughts. 

Additionally, the talented Viktor Arvidsson can't be overlooked. He figures to keep improving as a goal-scorer. He's only two games into his NHL career and already tallied his first career NHL goal in the Predators' win over the Carolina Hurricanes. 

You would think this team would have no problem at least advancing past the first round of the playoffs. Another solid regular season is probably ahead for Nashville, but the frustration will keep building until it can win when it counts in the postseason.