Nash Daily: Predators Learn Playoff Opponent, Penguins Coaching Change?

By virtue of their 2-1 shootout win over the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night, the Dallas Stars (52-21-9, 113 points) locked up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and finalized the Vancouver Canucks (50-22-9, 109 points) as the Nashville Predators (47-30-5, 99 points) opponent in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Canucks swept the season series with the Predators, outscoring them 13-6 over three games. Elias Pettersson scored four goals and five points, including a hat trick in Vancouver’s Oct. 31 win, while goaltender Thatcher Demko stopped 43 of 47 shots in two games.

The playoff schedule hasn’t been released yet, but the Predators could open the postseason as early as Sunday.

Nashville Hockey Now

After leading the Predators to 47 wins and 99 points, head coach Andrew Brunette got some love from a panel of NHL.com writers for the Jack Adams award.

Jeremy Lauzon likes to hit people, so it’s fitting he’s the NHL’s new single-season hits leader.

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Sabres Looking for NHL Experience in Next Coach (Buffalo Hockey Now)

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