The Predators’ record of 47 victories in 2023–24 was their greatest since 2018–19. 53 victories in the previous year’s Presidents Trophy season set a franchise record.
No one could have reasonably expected the Nashville Predators to win 47 games in the first year of the Andrew Brunette era, and of course the 18-game point streak really catapulted this team back into the playoffs.
Things were looking grim and more like a true rebuilding season after the February 15 humiliating 9-2 loss to the Dallas Stars at home. The Predators were in a downward spiral of losing seven of their last nine games and plummeting out of playoff contention altogether.
Despite once again suffering first round defeat, this team undoubtedly overperformed and appears to be heading back in a positive direction to be deep playoff contenders in the near future.
The Predators have won 47 games in a regular season four times, and surpassed that win total only four other times in their 25-year history.
In fact, only six teams have more regular seasons wins over the last decade than the Predators, per StatMuse
Team |
Reg Season Wins since May 2014 |
|---|---|
Lightning |
475 |
Bruins |
466 |
Capitals |
449 |
Penguins |
433 |
Blues |
433 |
Rangers |
431 |
Predators |
429 |
No Stanley Cups and only one Western Conference Finals appearance really string with all of those regular season wins, but Barry Trotz is trying to change all of that. Give him time.
With that, here’s my top-5 wins of 2023-24 for the Nashville Predators.
5: Preds beat Hurricanes 6-5 in overtime on December 15th
The Predators were starting to find their groove at this point in the season getting their record up to 16-13-0 after an expected rocky start. A road trip to face the Carolina Hurricanes was going to be a true test.
This game featured the fast-paced and intense offensive hockey fans love. The scoring got started with a goal from Juuso Parssinen, but the Hurricanes predictably stormed right back to score two quick ones less than two minutes apart.
The Predators hung around with a goal from Roman Josi, but the Hurricanes opened up a 4-2 lead and then a 5-3 lead at the midway point of regulation. Put the Predators gave us a glimpse of what was to come later in the season with a relentless comeback.
Three unanswered goals by the Predators would tally a very impressive win over the Stanley Cup caliber Hurricanes. Filip Forsberg would notch the overtime winner, putting him at 16 goals through the first 30 games.
The Predators would win their following game over the Capitals to mark a stretch of winning seven of eight games.
4: Preds take down the Golden Knights 5-4 in overtime
With the regular season winding down, the Predators extended their franchise record point streak to 18 games in thrilling fashion over the Golden Knights. Both teams were battling for wildcard position by this time.
The Golden Knights surged to a 3-0 lead in the first period and this one looked like it was over before fans even broke the seal from all the beer and hard seltzers. The relentless motto came back into play for the Predators with one of their best comebacks in recent history.
Down 4-1 in the third period, the rally started and ended with the top line going to work. First it was Ryan O’Reilly with a goal from a Gus Nyquist assist, then Filip Forsberg would score his 40th of the campaign, then Nyquist would tie it on the power play 40 seconds later.
It would only take 40 seconds of overtime for Roman Josi to complete the comeback and send the Predators to their 43rd win and significantly closer to clinching their postseason berth.
The point streak would sadly end the following game against the Arizona Coyotes.
3: Preds go toe-to-toe with arch rival Dallas and get the 4-3 win
Going back to the 2023 preseason predictions, I always held the Dallas Stars as one of my top Stanley Cup contenders, and the Predators managed to split the season series 2-2.
We’ll just gloss over that 9-2 debacle since this is a list about the best wins, not the most embarrassing losses. But on January 6 on the road in Dallas, the Predators made a significant statement with the midway point of the regular season approaching.
The Predators had a 2-0 lead in this one and had to push back after Dallas did what great teams do, which is never go down without a fight. The Stars would tie it at 2-2 going into the third period, and it just kind of felt like the Predators were on the fast track to getting one of those dreadful “moral” victories.
In what was a theme of the entire season, Filip Forsberg came to the rescue and did want superstar players are expected to do; perform in the clutch moments to push their team to victory.
Forsberg would score two goals in the third period with Ryan O’Reilly assisting on both, and Kevin Lankinen would finish with 26 saves and hold off Dallas’ attack just enough to avoid going to overtime altogether.
The Nashville/Dallas rivalry has been steadily growing in intensity since the 2019 first round elimination, so anytime you can beat them on their home ice it’s going to make a list for best wins.
2: A rare shutout against the potent Florida Panthers
Another win for the Predators against a team that’s now in the final four teams of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and that’s the 3-0 shutout against the Florida Panthers on March 21. Another win during the 18-game point streak, and also on the road.
The Panthers would fire 33 shots on goal for Kevin Lankinen to stop. The Predators also blocked 16 shots in this game and killed off both Panthers power plays. It was just sound defensive hockey and even better goaltending, and from your backup no less.
The offense delivered as well in this one. Another tremendous game from the top line with two goals from Forsberg and a combined seven points for the top line to get the point streak to 16 games.
Shutouts in today’s NHL are hard to come by no matter who it’s against. It’s even more impressive, and difficult, when it’s against a Panthers team that was 11th in goals per game and the best defensive team giving up just 2.41 goals per game.
When you look back at the point streak, the Predators didn’t just beat up on bottom feeders. They sprinkled in some very impressive wins over elite teams as well, including this Panthers team.
1: An improbable comeback for the ages against the Avalanche
Very early in the season and the Predators were stumbling out of the gate to a 6-10-0 record. Next up was a date with the Colorado Avalanche, and no one really had high expectations that the new look Predators were going to be able to win this affair.
The Predators did have a 2-1 lead early in the second period, but the Avalanche made their response and took back the lead with a power play goal. The score would stay that was until the final 60 seconds of regulation.
Forsberg, who is a common theme on this top-5 best wins list, would score at 19:22 of the third period to give Predators fans hope. Then with just 22 seconds remaining and overtime looking likely, Yakov Trenin of all people would stun the Avalanche in regulation. Not even a single point.
In painful irony, Trenin would eventually be traded at the deadline to the Avalanche, but this goes as my top win of the 2023-24 season for the Nashville Predators.
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