Smashville is Flaming Hot

Just a little over two weeks ago the media was abuzz with rumors that the Predators’ locker room was imploding. Some even alluded to the idea that Head Coach Andrew Burnette had lost the team, and rumors circulated that his tenure as the lead man behind the bench could be short lived. Well, that massive overreaction was smacked across the face emphatically. Since an embarrassing beatdown at the hands of rival Dallas in Bridgestone, the Preds are on fire.

Saturday night’s thrashing of heavyweight Colorado Avalanche, behind Cody Glass’ first career hat-trick, has the NHL on notice of what’s going on in Middle Tennessee. After suffering seven losses in nine outings, most of the league had written off Nashville as a playoff contender. An early season run had dried up and a total rebuild was on the horizon. Not so fast, my friend. Coach Burnette publicly challenged his team to respond and unite. Clearly, it’s working. This man is in charge and the Preds are buying in.

During the squad’s eight-game streak (second longest in franchise history), the Predators haven’t simply been winning, they've been dominating. All eight victories have come by multiple goals and have outscored opponents 37-13. With 20 games remaining on the schedule, this team is in control.

Sitting at fourth in the Central Division standings, Nashville controls a Wild Card spot and has separated themselves from the St. Louis Blues who sit behind them and the Los Angeles Kings on the outside of the playoff picture. For now, Preds fans should feel confident this team will clinch a playoff bid in Burnette’s first season. That would be a hell of an accomplishment considering the turnover within the organization in the past 365 days. 

Nothing is guaranteed, and as we’ve witnessed in the last 16 days, a lot can change rapidly in the NHL. However, if the Preds stay the course, a deep postseason run is well within their reach.

Smashville will go for nine in a row on Tuesday at home against the struggling Montreal Canadiens. If the Predators are able to continue their hot streak, they will look to tie the franchise record of 10 straight as they conclude their homestand Thursday night versus the Buffalo Sabres.