The Nashville Predators were not expected to reach the playoffs in a season General Manager David Poile called a “competitive rebuild”. While the season has been up and down, that rebuild has been competitive enough for the Predators to earn a wildcard spot in the postseason.
Just like the Predators were not expected to be competitive in a stacked Central Division, they are also not expected to stack up well against a Stanley Cup frontrunner Colorado Avalanche team. Despite the Predators having a 3-1 record versus the Avs this season, the Predators entered this series a significant underdog.