Blog Playoff Edition #9: You have come a long way baby!

After 19 years of existence, and never getting past the second round, the Nashville Predators are heading to the Stanley Cup Final! The Cinderella team, the under dog, the team that were the last seed in the Western Conference. Thwarting the Hawks, Blues, and now Ducks!

Nashville is only the 3rd team in NHL history to be the last seed in the conference, to reach the finals. The Oilers did it in 2006 and the Devils in 2012. If they win the Cup they will not only set franchise history, but NHL history. No last seeded team has EVER won the Stanley Cup.They also are the eighth team in the past 15 seasons to reach the Stanley Cup Final after finishing the regular season outside the top 10 in the final standings.

Now I was a bit upset when the Hawks got steam rolled by the Predators in the first round. However, the Predators deep playoff run has allowed me to get a better look at the team. Wow, what a team they do have! Lots of young talented forwards, and one of the best defensive cores in the league! Pekka Rinne is in top form, and they have a coach that plays a very up tempo game. However, most impressive is their fans!!! Nashville has really gotten behind their team, and it is a beautiful thing to see, Just check out this video with the fans in action: Click here

How can you not get behind this team? They have defied the skeptics all playoff long. (Which unfortunately messed up my playoff pool...) They have a goalie that is playing in Conne Smythe form, and they of course have.. PK Subban!! I am huge Subban fan, and I was super pissed when Bergevin and Company traded him... Grr. However, it looks like things worked out for Subban. For my vote, I am cheering and hoping that the Predators win the Cup. Then watch as Subban brings the Cup back home to Montreal. Which will probably the only time that Montreal will ever see the cup again. ;-)