Central Division Championship (2021-22)

Lore & Background

The 2021-22 Central Division Championship was a testament to the Predators' organizational philosophy of balanced play and veteran leadership. Under the guidance of head coach John Hynes, the team navigated a grueling 82-game schedule with a mix of seasoned stars and emerging talents, clinching the title on the final weekend of the regular season. The championship banner raised at Bridgestone Arena later that year became a symbol of the franchise's enduring competitiveness in a division often dominated by powerhouse teams like the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues.

In Their Own Story

The ice was slick with anticipation as the final horn sounded at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators had just sealed their Central Division crown with a gritty win, sending a roar through the crowd that echoed off the rafters. Players hugged on the bench, their breath visible in the cool air, while the scoreboard flashed the final tally. For a franchise built on hard work and blue-collar grit, this banner wasn't just a trophy—it was a promise kept to a city that bleeds gold.

Reader's Guide

The Nashville Predators' 2021-22 Central Division Championship was their third division crown in franchise history, but it arrived with a twist: this time, they didn't just sneak past the pack—they bulldozed through a gauntlet that included the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. The team finished atop the standings by leaning on a deep roster that saw career years from unexpected sources, like Tanner Jeannot's 24 goals and Roman Josi's Norris-worthy 96-point campaign. The title secured home-ice advantage for the first round, but the magic fizzled in a six-game series loss to the Colorado Avalanche. Still, the banner raised that fall isn't just a relic of a good regular season—it's a testament to a franchise that refused to be written off after a summer of roster turnover.

Did You Know?

• This was the Predators' first Central Division title since the 2017-18 season.
• The championship was clinched on the road with a win in the final week of the regular season.
• The 2021-22 title marked the third division championship in Predators franchise history.
• The Predators finished with a record that placed them ahead of the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in the division standings.