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Nashville Predators: 5 Reasons why they will be successful again this year

By Stetson Marlin

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 29: Matt Irwin #52, Ryan Hartman #38, and Nick Bonino #13 congratulate teammate Kevin Fiala #22 on scoring the game winning goal in the second period of overtime in a 5-4 Predators victory in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 29: Matt Irwin #52, Ryan Hartman #38, and Nick Bonino #13 congratulate teammate Kevin Fiala #22 on scoring the game winning goal in the second period of overtime in a 5-4 Predators victory in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 13: Kevin Fiala
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 13: Kevin Fiala /

#3 – Lines are talented from top to bottom

This is something the Predators should pride themselves in this season. They have talent all around the roster, on both the offensive and defensive lines.

The Predators first line, the JoFA line should once again be a great line and will produce a good amount of points. We aren’t sure of what the second, third, and fourth lines will be, but we have a good idea.

If the Predators go with the second line pairing of Kevin Fiala – Kyle Turris – Craig Smith, fans will hope their production will get back to the way it was when Nashville first acquired Turris. Those three guys were able to click once Turris arrived in Nashville, but seemed to disappear as the playoffs rolled around. Eeli Tolvanen might have a chance to sneak into the second line pairing, likely replacing Smith.

If Tolvanen doesn’t go to the second line, he will likely see himself on the third line, paired with Nick Bonino and Calle Jarnkrok. Bonino is always a key guy you can depend on to put up good minutes, while Jarnkrok was on a roll last season before he was sidelined for a good bit of the season.

While Austin Watson is serving his 27-game suspension, the Predators will likely go with a fourth line that consists of Miikka Salomaki – Colton Sissons – Ryan Hartman. Once Watson returns from suspension, he will likely see time in either the third or fourth line, hoping to get on the streak he was on last season.

Defensively, the Predators are set. They have the best defense in the league, especially in the first four guys. P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, and Mattias Ekholm are some of the best at their positions and they are all on the Predators defense. Although the defense seemed to disappear once the postseason rolled around, they will still be a huge part of the Predators success this season.

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