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How the Toronto Maple Leafs Stack Up Against the Competition (Part 4)

By Brad Vos

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: A detailed view of the NHL logo on the back of the goal netting before the game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena on October 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: A detailed view of the NHL logo on the back of the goal netting before the game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena on October 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Roman Josi (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

(6) Nashville Predators

The Preds recorded 78 points in 69 games, good for a points percentage of .565. Nashville was 17th in goals scored this season and tied for 16th in goals allowed.

They had the 25th ranked power play at 17.3%.  Their penalty kill was 29th in the NHL at 76.1%.  While special teams was a major sore spot for Nashville, their puck possession game was strong, ranking seventh in Corsi For % and 5th in Fenwick For %.

Their forward group is quite underwhelming as no Predator cracked 50 points this season.  Filip Forsberg did lead the way among forwards with 21 goals and 48 points.  The talent is there, but Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen had disappointing seasons.

The Predators have one of the best top defensive pairings in Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi.

They lock down other teams’ top lines, and Josi led the team with 65 points.  Ellis also contributed 38 points as well.  After the top pairing, there is not much depth.  Mattias Ekholm is reliable, but the defense falls off a cliff after that.

Goaltending has long been a strength for the Nashville Predators, but Pekka Rinne was not good this season.

He has a sub-.900 save percentage and a GAA over 3.00.  Eventually, he lost the job to Juuse Saros, who was better but not exceptional.  Saros posted a .914 SV% and 2.70 GAA.  The handoff from Rinne to Saros will likely be solidified entirely during the play-ins.

The Predators look like a team ripe to be upset by the Coyotes in the Qualifiers.  The usual strengths of the group are not there, and they have no pop upfront.  I’m not expecting more than a win or two from them.

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