Nashville Predators: 5 Changes They Need To Make in 2nd Half of the Season

The Nashville Predators are showing flashes of greatness this season, paired with moments of mediocrity. After the franchise's first run to the conference semifinals last season, Nashville looks to continue their stride toward the Stanley Cup. 

The Preds' strengths have also been their weaknesses. An even scoring slate among forwards means that Nashville doesn't have to rely on one pure scorer, but it also hurts when they can't expect a goal from their top forward game in and game out. Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are playing lights out, but it exposes the flaws of the rest of the defensemen. 

With many problems on the horizon, including the uncertainty of Shea Weber's and Ryan Suter's future, the Predators need to improve in many portions of their game if they want to make that run this season. 

5. Consistency at Backup Goaltender

Pekka Rinne has played in 32 games this season, most in the NHL among goalies. While he's the man the Predators count on to plug up the crease, goaltending in this league takes a toll and coaches have to substitute their goalies carefully. 

Preds backup Anders Lindback burst onto the scene in the 2010-11 season when Pekka Rinne missed time with an injury, posting a 11-5-2 record and a .915 save percentage. His numbers have fallen sharply this season as he is 2-4 with a .893 save percentage.

If Lindback continues to struggle, Nashville will have to look at bringing up Jeremy Smith from their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. Smith is leading the AHL in wins this season with 15, and could be Nashville's answer to backup Rinne.  

In the NHL, top teams call on their backup to win big games. The Predators will need a consistent goaltender behind Rinne in order to finish the season strong. 

4. Improve 2nd and 3rd Lines of Defense

It's no secret that Shea Weber and Ryan Suter dominate the defensive side of things for Nashville. If only they could be out there 60 minutes a game, right?

Well, the fact of the matter is that they can't, and the Predators defense is struggling heavily when their two stars aren't on the ice.  

Jonathon Blum and Kevin Klein, third-line defenders, have a combined minus-24 rating. The Predators simply cannot win in the playoffs with such a weak line.

Roman Josi is starting to make a name for himself after being called up a few months ago, and prospect Ryan Ellis is expected to be a great defender in this league. Ellis was called up before Monday's game versus Detroit to replace the injured Weber, and if he can shine in this opportunity, it will hopefully be the start to more consistency for the blueliners.  

3. Hush the Weber and Suter Trade Talk

Potential landing spots for Weber and Suter have been discussed throughout the season, and many are anticipating trades to be executed before the trade deadline on Feb. 27. 

Like I said in a recent article, Nashville's hopes of reaching the promised land have to be through Weber and Suter. Although there are plenty of teams in need for them, the Predators don't need anything as badly as they need their two best defenders. 

If GM David Poile is hoping to keep Suter and Weber, he needs to put his best foot forward now to ensure that they will stay in Nashville. As the deadline gets closer and closer, more rumors will swirl and could destruct this team's chances of making the playoffs.  

2. Find More Scoring

The Predators have long been a team with a bunch of scorers contributing while not exactly having a dominant scoring forward. This year is no different, but the team is greatly missing production from Sergei Kostitsyn and Patric Hornqvist. These two forwards, who were first and second on the team in goals last year, only have a combined 29 points heading toward midseason.

Right now, Nashville is mediocre at best in the scoring department, and they will need to find additional scoring to stay close in the West. If Kostitsyn and Hornqvist don't get it done, it will need to come from someone.  

1. Draw More Penalties

This sentence has never been said in franchise history, and probably won't be said again for a very long time: The Nashville Predators are second in the NHL on the power play. 

Their power-play percentage is an astounding 21.6 percent. Although, the Preds rank 22nd in power-play time with 195:08. If Nashville can increase the amount of time on the man advantage, they might be able to continue their success and improve their scoring. 

What has killed Nashville in seasons past could be the cornerstone to a deep playoff run.