Nashville Predators ELIMINATED
Central Division, Western Conference
Current Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PTS | GF | GA | DIFF | PTS % | Last 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 38 | 34 | 10 | 86 | 247 | 269 | -22 | 52.4% |
|
Playoff Probabilities
Based on 100,000 simulations run on Apr 17, 2026
Likely First-Round Opponents
| Opponent | Probability | Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
Colorado Avalanche
|
7.8% |
Probabilities sum to 0.0% (= playoff probability). Remaining 100.0% = miss playoffs.
Analysis
Summary
The Nashville Predators have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, sitting at 0.0% playoff odds with just one game remaining. At 86 points through 81 games, they will fall well short of the projected Western Conference cutline of 91.7 points. Even a win in their finale won’t be enough to close the gap.
Record and Recent Performance
Nashville’s 38-33-10 record translates to a 53.1% points percentage, a fringe-playoff pace that ultimately left them a few wins short. Their minus-21 goal differential (243 goals for, 264 against) underscores the inconsistency that defined the season, particularly defensively. The team strength rating of 47.9% — below league average — reflects a roster that has struggled to drive play consistently, especially on the road where they sit at 45.1% compared to 51.7% at home. A recent form rating of 45.0% suggests they haven’t mounted the kind of late surge needed to pressure the teams above them.
The Competition
The Western Conference wild-card race solidified just out of Nashville’s reach. Los Angeles currently holds the final playoff spot at 89 points with two games left and a projected finish of 91.7 points, while Anaheim and Utah are both at 90 points and projected above 92. Even Edmonton (91 points) and Vegas (93 points) are comfortably clear. With every team from fourth through eighth already locked into 100% playoff probability, the Predators’ 86 points simply leave too much ground to make up. Even teams behind Nashville like San Jose (84 points) can’t catch the field, illustrating how firm the cutoff has become.
Remaining Schedule
The Predators have one home game left against an opponent with a 48.5% strength rating, slightly below league average. The schedule difficulty is considered average, and Nashville is expected to earn about 1.2 points from the game, bringing their projected final total to 87.2 points. That would leave them roughly four to five points shy of the 91.7-point cutline. With no road games remaining and no head-to-head opportunities to swing the standings, there’s no mathematical path left.
Outlook
This will be a postseason spent looking ahead rather than scoreboarding. Nashville hovered around the bubble for much of the year but lacked the goal differential, road consistency, and late-season push required to separate from the pack. The focus now shifts to evaluating core pieces, addressing defensive structure, and finding the extra scoring depth needed to turn a mid-80s point team into a legitimate 95-point contender next season.
Bandwagon Options
Your team's playoff hopes are fading — here are some teams worth cheering for:
Carolina Hurricanes
Metropolitan · Eastern| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 | +56 | 65.8% | 100.0% | 100.0% |
Carolina plays a structured, relentless style that Preds fans can appreciate — heavy forecheck, responsible defense, and waves of pressure. They’re deep, disciplined, and built for the grind, with star power and one of the league’s most complete lineups. If you like team-first hockey with serious Cup upside, this is an easy fit.
Buffalo Sabres
Atlantic · Eastern| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 23 | 9 | 109 | +47 | 62.3% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
Buffalo is the fun bandwagon pick: high-octane offense, a loaded young core, and a fan base that’s been starving for this moment. They can score in bunches and play with an edge, making every game feel chaotic in the best way. It’s a chance to ride with an exciting team that feels like it’s breaking through.
Edmonton Oilers
Pacific · Western| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 30 | 11 | 93 | +13 | 57.2% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
If you just want to watch pure star power, Edmonton delivers. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can take over a series the way few players in the world can, and their power play is must-see TV. After a frustrating year in Nashville, there’s something satisfying about backing a team that can flip a game in one shift.
Ottawa Senators
Atlantic · Eastern| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 27 | 11 | 99 | +32 | 59.2% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
Ottawa brings a scrappy, emerging-contender vibe that Preds fans might connect with. They defend hard, get strong goaltending, and mix young skill with bite throughout the lineup. It’s a good middle ground between true powerhouse and underdog story.
Dallas Stars
Central · Western| W | L | OTL | PTS | Diff | Str | Playoff | Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 20 | 12 | 112 | +53 | 65.7% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
Yes, they’re a Central Division rival — but Dallas is undeniably built to win. They roll four lines, defend well, and have high-end talent that shows up in big moments. If you can stomach cheering for a rival, they’re one of the most complete teams in the field.
Required Win Percentage for Playoffs
Win percentage needed in remaining games to achieve each playoff probability threshold. A checkmark (✓) means the team has mathematically clinched a playoff spot. A dash (—) means the threshold is impossible to reach.
Points Distribution vs. Cutline
Projected to finish with 86–86 points (middle 50%). The playoff cutline is typically 90–90 points. Finishes above the cutline in 0.0% of simulations.
Team Projection
Playoff Cutline
Playoff Race — Western Conference
| # | Team | PTS | GP | Left | STR | L10 | SOS | Proj PTS | Playoff % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 95 | 82 | 0 | 60.8% | 85.0% | 50.0% | 95.0 | 100.0% | |
| 5 | 93 | 82 | 0 | 57.2% | 70.0% | 50.0% | 93.0 | 100.0% | |
| 6 | 92 | 82 | 0 | 56.6% | 60.0% | 50.0% | 92.0 | 100.0% | |
| 7 | 92 | 82 | 0 | 46.5% | 30.0% | 50.0% | 92.0 | 100.0% | |
| 8 | 90 | 82 | 0 | 53.1% | 70.0% | 50.0% | 90.0 | 100.0% | |
| 9 | 86 | 82 | 0 | 51.0% | 65.0% | 50.0% | 86.0 | 0.0% | |
| 10 | 86 | 82 | 0 | 47.6% | 45.0% | 50.0% | 86.0 | 0.0% | |
| 11 | 86 | 82 | 0 | 48.0% | 55.0% | 50.0% | 86.0 | 0.0% | |
| 12 | 82 | 82 | 0 | 47.1% | 50.0% | 50.0% | 82.0 | 0.0% | |
Team Strength Metrics
| Overall Strength | Home Strength | Away Strength | Pythagorean Win % | Recent Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47.6% | 50.8% | 45.4% | 45.7% | 45.0% |
Player Statistics
| # | Player | Pos | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | SOG | HIT | BLK | TOI | Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Filip Forsberg | L | 82 | 40 | 35 | 75 | -2 | 0 | 124 | 33 | 18:53 | |
| 90 | Ryan O'Reilly | C | 81 | 25 | 49 | 74 | +8 | 0 | 17 | 66 | 20:23 | |
| 91 | Steven Stamkos | C | 82 | 42 | 24 | 66 | -17 | 0 | 89 | 36 | 17:49 | |
| 77 | Luke Evangelista | R | 81 | 12 | 45 | 57 | +1 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 16:37 | |
| 59 | Roman Josi | D | 68 | 13 | 42 | 55 | -15 | 0 | 24 | 100 | 24:52 | |
| 56 | Erik Haula | L | 81 | 14 | 25 | 39 | -15 | 0 | 118 | 51 | 16:40 | |
| 58 | Michael Bunting → DAL | L | 61 | 13 | 18 | 31 | -17 | 0 | 35 | 22 | 14:47 | |
| 71 | Matthew Wood | R | 71 | 17 | 13 | 30 | -3 | 0 | 53 | 25 | 12:19 | |
| 81 | Jonathan Marchessault | C | 62 | 12 | 18 | 30 | -18 | 0 | 75 | 9 | 16:42 | |
| 76 | Brady Skjei | D | 82 | 3 | 23 | 26 | -7 | 0 | 70 | 84 | 22:36 | |
| 37 | Nick Blankenburg → COL | D | 49 | 6 | 15 | 21 | -11 | 0 | 47 | 51 | 17:57 | |
| 40 | Fedor Svechkov | C | 70 | 4 | 13 | 17 | -6 | 0 | 60 | 29 | 12:04 | |
| 17 | Tyson Jost | C | 69 | 8 | 8 | 16 | -21 | 0 | 68 | 31 | 12:24 | |
| 83 | Adam Wilsby | D | 58 | 1 | 15 | 16 | +2 | 0 | 28 | 47 | 17:00 | |
| 41 | Nicolas Hague | D | 62 | 3 | 12 | 15 | -10 | 0 | 76 | 53 | 19:37 | |
| 48 | Nick Perbix | D | 79 | 3 | 10 | 13 | -14 | 0 | 31 | 95 | 19:06 | |
| 47 | Michael McCarron → MIN | C | 59 | 5 | 7 | 12 | -15 | 0 | 165 | 60 | 14:29 | |
| 85 | Ryan Ufko | D | 18 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 12 | 13:53 | |
| 22 | Cole Smith → VGK | R | 42 | 6 | 4 | 10 | -7 | 0 | 119 | 12 | 14:06 | |
| 24 | Spencer Stastney → EDM | D | 30 | 1 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 0 | 5 | 25 | 14:51 | |
| 20 | Justin Barron | D | 52 | 0 | 9 | 9 | -1 | 0 | 37 | 60 | 14:15 | |
| 49 | Reid Schaefer | L | 47 | 6 | 2 | 8 | -12 | 0 | 108 | 30 | 9:38 | |
| 68 | Zachary L'Heureux | L | 25 | 4 | 1 | 5 | +3 | 0 | 64 | 15 | 13:23 | |
| 89 | Ozzy Wiesblatt | C | 40 | 1 | 4 | 5 | -6 | 0 | 100 | 18 | 10:10 | |
| 25 | Joakim Kemell | R | 14 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +2 | 0 | 21 | 8 | 10:19 | |
| 19 | Cole O'Hara | R | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11:23 | |
| 82 | Jordan Oesterle | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 14:05 | |
| 5 | Kevin Gravel | D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 16:36 | |
| 8 | Andreas Englund | D | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 8:49 |
Recent Games (Last 10)
| Date | Opponent | Location | Score | Result | Opp Strength | Playoff Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16 | Anaheim Ducks | Home | 4 - 5 | L | 46.5% | 0.0% |
| Apr 13 | San Jose Sharks | Home | 2 - 3 | L | 48.0% | -17.3% |
| Apr 11 | Minnesota Wild | Home | 2 - 1 | W | 59.1% | +14.7% |
| Apr 09 | Utah Mammoth | Away | 4 - 1 | L | 56.6% | -13.2% |
| Apr 07 | Anaheim Ducks | Away | 0 - 5 | W | 46.5% | +14.4% |
| Apr 06 | Los Angeles Kings | Away | 3 - 2 (OT) | OTL | 53.1% | -19.3% |
| Apr 04 | San Jose Sharks | Away | 3 - 6 | W | 48.0% | +15.9% |
| Apr 02 | Los Angeles Kings | Away | 4 - 5 (OT) | W | 53.1% | +10.7% |
| Mar 29 | Tampa Bay Lightning | Away | 3 - 2 | L | 60.0% | -9.2% |
| Mar 28 | Montréal Canadiens | Home | 1 - 4 | L | 60.9% | -9.7% |