The Nashville Predators should revel in the spotlight they have been placed under after upsetting the second-seeded Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. The Predators are constantly overlooked by the NHL community despite their annual success in a difficult division with a small-market payroll.
Unlike other expansion or relocated franchises in the South who play against each other in the Southeast Division, the Predators play in the Central Division against the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, and the aforementioned Blackhawks. The Red Wings and Blackhawks were two of the Original Six franchises in the NHL and the Blues joined the league in 1967 when the NHL added another six teams.
Since the 1980s the Red Wings have dominated the NHL. Appearing in the last two Stanley Cup Finals (winning in 2008), the Wings have made the playoffs for 19 straight years—the most among any franchise in North America’s four major professional sports.
Before the lockout the St. Louis Blues were reminiscent of the San Jose Sharks, appearing in the playoffs 14 straight years fro ...
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Article written by Tom Schreier