2016-17 Stanley Cup Final Run (vs. Penguins)

Lore & Background

The Predators entered the 2017 playoffs as the Western Conference's second wild card, facing the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks. The series victory ignited a wave of excitement in Nashville, with fans packing Bridgestone Arena and creating a deafening atmosphere known as 'Smashville.' The Predators then defeated the St. Louis Blues in six games and the Anaheim Ducks in six games to reach the Final, becoming the first team in NHL history to eliminate the top three seeds in the West — a path of destruction that left no doubt about their legitimacy.

In Their Own Story

The ice in Bridgestone Arena hummed with a nervous energy as the puck dropped for Game 3 of the Final, the first Cup Final game ever in Nashville. The crowd, a sea of gold, roared as the Predators struck first, but the Penguins' speed and skill proved relentless. In the third period, with the game tied, a deflected shot slipped past Rinne, silencing the building for a moment before the faithful erupted again, chanting 'Go Preds!' The series would end in Pittsburgh, but the memory of that night — the city's heart beating as one beneath the glow of catfish and gold towels — remained eternal.

Reader's Guide

The 2016-17 season represents a watershed moment in Predators history, transforming the franchise from a perennial underdog into a legitimate contender. Defined by a punishing defensive system, a breakout performance from defenseman P.K. Subban (acquired in a blockbuster trade), and Rinne's Vezina-caliber play, the team's playoff run showcased the 'Predator Way' — a blend of grit, speed, and relentless forechecking that left opponents battered and fans breathless. The series against Pittsburgh, though a loss, elevated the club's profile nationally and deepened the bond between the team and its fans. This era matters because it proved Nashville could sustain a winning culture, setting the stage for future success and cementing the Predators as a staple of the NHL's elite — and as a city that would never be overlooked again.

Did You Know?

• The Predators became the first team in NHL history to sweep the top seed in the first round as a wild card.
• Nashville's home crowd set a Guinness World Record for loudest crowd roar at a sports stadium during the 2017 playoffs.
• Defenseman Roman Josi led all Predators defensemen in playoff scoring that spring, a precursor to his Norris Trophy-winning career.
• The Penguins' victory marked their second consecutive Stanley Cup title, making them the first repeat champion since the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings.