Nash Daily: Preds Clinch Playoff Berth; Matthews Scores 66

After an, at times, up-and-down season, first-time general manager Barry Trotz, new head coach Andrew Brunette, and the Nashville Predators have punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Brunette’s first season behind the bench. The Predators missed the playoffs last season under former head coach John Hynes. 

All the Predators needed was one point on Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets, which they captured after a dominating 4-3 OT loss. The loss to Winnipeg makes it mathematically impossible for the Predators to catch any of their division rivals for a top three position, so the Predators will either be the first or second wild card slot when the playoffs begin on April 20. In that scenario, it is likely the Predators will start their playoff journey in either Dallas to face the Stars or Vancouver to face the Canucks. If the playoffs were to begin today, it would be Va uncover as the Predators are the first wild card slot and Vancouver is the second division winner. 

The Predators have three games remaining this season (at Chicago, vs. Columbus, at Pittsburgh) before being the first team to close the 2023-24 regular season. 

In other news, the NHL keeps getting better as Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs nets his 66th goal of the season becoming the only active player to have reached the mark, not even Alexander Ovechkin has done so. Matthews is the first player to score 66 goals in the regular season since before Matthews was born. Mario Lemieux scored 69 during the 1995-96 season. Matthews was born in 1997. This season has brought forth some incredible achievements on the offensive side of the puck. the product on the ice is better than ever with a fun playoffs approaching. 

Nashville Hockey Now

There are several Predators players who are on the doorstep of writing their names in the record books.

Two of the Predators top 2023 draft picks will face each other in the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs.

Michael McCarron’s performance last night against the Jets makes it a no-brainer for why he’s the Predators’ Masterton Trophy Finalist. 

Central Division Standings

1. Dallas Stars — 50-20-9, 109 points
2. Colorado Avalanche — 49-24-6, 104 points
3. Winnipeg Jets — 48-24-6, 102 points
4. Nashville Predators – 45-29-5, 95 points
5. St. Louis Blues — 41-32-5, 87 points
6. Minnesota Wild – 37-32-9, 83 points
7. Arizona Coyotes — 33-40-5, 71 points
8. Chicago Blackhawks — 23-49-5, 51 points

Wild Card Standings

1. Nashville Predators – 45-29-5, 95 points
2. Las Vegas Golden Knights – 42-27-8, 92 points
3. St. Louis Blues — 41-32-5, 87 points

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