The Nashville Predators might be the hottest team in the NHL right now.
The Predators haven’t lost a game in regulation since Feb. 15 to the Dallas Stars, and the team has now notched a point in a franchise-best 18-straight games.
It sure looked like that outrageously good point streak might end on Tuesday after being down 4-1 in the third period to the Vegas Golden Knights, but the Predators roared back with three goals to force overtime and won the game outright with a goal by defenseman Roman Josi in extra time.
In his first year, Nashville coach Andrew Brunette has his team in firm playoff position with the fourth spot in the incredibly competitive Western Conference’s Central Division.
Since that February loss to the Stars, it’s more than fair to argue that no hockey team has been playing quite as well as the Predators have.
THE PREDS WIN IT IN OVERTIME 😱
WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN VEGAS, LIVES ON IN NASHVILLE 🔮 pic.twitter.com/WLp4QtGChe
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 27, 2024
#Preds beat Vegas 5-4 (OT)
PLUSES
-Extended franchise-high pt streak to 18 games (16-0-2)
-Rallied from 4-1 down in 3rd
-O’Reilly reaches 25G mark
-Forsberg reaches 40G mark, 80-pt mark
-Nyquist reaches 20G mark
-Forsberg 6-game G streak
MINUS
-Allowed 2 Gs in 1st 6 mins.— John Glennon (@glennonsports) March 27, 2024
However, FanDuel only has the Predators at +4000 for the Stanley Cup right now, which is right around the middle of the league.
Thirteen teams are ahead of Nashville right now in the odds, but it sure feels like sportsbooks are severely undervaluing how good the Predators have been lately. Getting a point in 18-straight games is just unbelievable, as is being 16-0-2 in that stretch.
Sleep on Nashville at your own peril if you’re another NHL team right now. If the playoffs started today, the Predators would be one of its fiercest contenders.
