2017–18 Nashville Predators season

2017–18 Nashville Predators
Division	1st Central
Conference	1st Western
2017–18 record	53–18–11
Home record	28–9–4
Road record	25–9–7
Goals for	267
Goals against	211
Team information
General manager	David Poile
Coach	Peter Laviolette
Captain	Roman Josi
Alternate captains	Mattias Ekholm Ryan Ellis Filip Forsberg Ryan Johansen
Arena	Bridgestone Arena
Minor league affiliate(s)	Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) Norfolk Admirals (ECHL) Until November 28, 2017
Team leaders
Goals	Viktor Arvidsson (29)
Assists	P. K. Subban (43)
Points	Filip Forsberg (64)
Penalty minutes	Austin Watson (123)
Plus/minus	Filip Forsberg (+27)
Wins	Pekka Rinne (42)
Goals against average	Pekka Rinne (2.31)

The 2017–18 Nashville Predators season was the 20th season for the National Hockey League franchise that was established on June 25, 1997. The team reached the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, and won the Central Division as well as winning the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in franchise history. However, the Predators were eliminated from Stanley Cup contention in the Second Round of the playoffs by the Winnipeg Jets in seven games.

Standings

Divisional standings

Central Division

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	p – Nashville Predators	82	53	18	11	47	267	211	+56	117
2	x – Winnipeg Jets	82	52	20	10	48	277	218	+59	114
3	x – Minnesota Wild	82	45	26	11	42	253	232	+21	101
4	x – Colorado Avalanche	82	43	30	9	41	257	237	+20	95
5	St. Louis Blues	82	44	32	6	41	226	222	+4	94
6	Dallas Stars	82	42	32	8	38	235	225	+10	92
7	Chicago Blackhawks	82	33	39	10	32	229	256	−27	76

Conference standings

Top 3 (Central Division)

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	p – Nashville Predators	82	53	18	11	47	267	211	+56	117
2	x – Winnipeg Jets	82	52	20	10	48	277	218	+59	114
3	x – Minnesota Wild	82	45	26	11	42	253	232	+21	101

Top 3 (Pacific Division)

Pos	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	y – Vegas Golden Knights	82	51	24	7	47	272	228	+44	109
2	x – Anaheim Ducks	82	44	25	13	40	235	216	+19	101
3	x – San Jose Sharks	82	45	27	10	40	252	229	+23	100

Western Conference Wild Card

Pos	Div	Team	GP	W	L	OTL	ROW	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	PA	x – Los Angeles Kings	82	45	29	8	43	239	203	+36	98
2	CE	x – Colorado Avalanche	82	43	30	9	41	257	237	+20	95
3	CE	St. Louis Blues	82	44	32	6	41	226	222	+4	94
4	CE	Dallas Stars	82	42	32	8	38	235	225	+10	92
5	PA	Calgary Flames	82	37	35	10	35	218	248	−30	84
6	PA	Edmonton Oilers	82	36	40	6	31	234	263	−29	78
7	CE	Chicago Blackhawks	82	33	39	10	32	229	256	−27	76
8	PA	Vancouver Canucks	82	31	40	11	31	218	264	−46	73
9	PA	Arizona Coyotes	82	29	41	12	27	208	256	−48	70

Schedule and results

Preseason

The preseason schedule was published on June 19, 2017.

2017 preseason game log: 2–2–2 (Home: 1–1–2 ; Road: 1–1–0)
#	Date	Visitor	Score	Home	OT	Decision	Attendance	Record	Recap
1	September 19	Florida	5–3	Nashville		Saros	—	0–1–0	Recap
2	September 19	Florida	2–3	Nashville	OT	Lindback	—	1–1–0	Recap
3	September 22	Nashville	1–3	Tampa Bay		Saros	15,504	1–2–0	Recap
4	September 24	Nashville	5–3	Columbus		Lindback	12,044	2–2–0	Recap
5	September 28	Columbus	4–3	Nashville	SO	Rinne	16,052	2–2–1	Recap
6	September 30	Tampa Bay	3–2	Nashville	OT	Rinne	17,113	2–2–2	Recap

Regular season

The regular season schedule was released on June 22, 2017.

2017–18 game log
October: 5–4–2 (Home: 3–1–1 ; Road: 2–3–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 1 October 5 Nashville 3–4 Boston Rinne 17,565 0–1–0 0 Recap 2 October 7 Nashville 0–4 Pittsburgh Saros 18,645 0–2–0 0 Recap 3 October 10 Philadelphia 5–6 Nashville Rinne 17,194 1–2–0 2 Recap 4 October 12 Dallas 1–4 Nashville Rinne 17,113 2–2–0 4 Recap 5 October 14 Nashville 1–2 Chicago OT Rinne 21,564 2–2–1 5 Recap 6 October 17 Colorado 1–4 Nashville Rinne 17,113 3–2–1 7 Recap 7 October 19 Nashville 1–0 Philadelphia Rinne 19,396 4–2–1 9 Recap 8 October 21 Nashville 2–4 NY Rangers Saros 17,181 4–3–1 9 Recap 9 October 24 Calgary 3–2 Nashville SO Rinne 17,113 4–3–2 10 Recap 10 October 27 Nashville 2–1 Chicago Rinne 21,524 5–3–2 12 Recap 11 October 28 NY Islanders 6–2 Nashville Saros 17,113 5–4–2 12 Recap
November: 10–3–1 (Home: 6–1–0 ; Road: 4–2–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 12 November 1 Nashville 1–4 San Jose Rinne 16,543 5–5–2 12 Recap 13 November 3 Nashville 5–3 Anaheim Rinne 15,523 6–5–2 14 Recap 14 November 4 Nashville 4–3 Los Angeles OT Saros 18,230 7–5–2 16 Recap 15 November 7 Nashville 3–1 Columbus Rinne 14,996 8–5–2 18 Recap 16 November 11 Pittsburgh 4–5 Nashville SO Rinne 17,397 9–5–2 20 Recap 17 November 14 Washington 3–6 Nashville Rinne 17,113 10–5–2 22 Recap 18 November 16 Nashville 4–6 Minnesota Rinne 18,888 10–6–2 22 Recap 19 November 18 Colorado 2–5 Nashville Rinne 17,113 11–6–2 24 Recap 20 November 20 Winnipeg 3–5 Nashville Rinne 17,113 12–6–2 26 Recap 21 November 22 Montreal 2–3 Nashville SO Rinne 17,113 13–6–2 28 Recap 22 November 24 Nashville 2–0 St. Louis Rinne 19,033 14–6–2 30 Recap 23 November 26 Nashville 3–4 Carolina SO Saros 11,133 14–6–3 31 Recap 24 November 28 Chicago 2–3 Nashville Rinne 17,187 15–6–3 33 Recap 25 November 30 Vancouver 5–3 Nashville Rinne 17,113 15–7–3 33 Recap
December: 8–3–2 (Home: 3–2–1 ; Road: 5–1–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 26 December 2 Anaheim 2–3 Nashville SO Rinne 17,113 16–7–3 35 Recap 27 December 4 Boston 3–5 Nashville Rinne 17,113 17–7–3 37 Recap 28 December 5 Nashville 5–2 Dallas Saros 18,023 18–7–3 39 Recap 29 December 8 Vegas 4–3 Nashville SO Rinne 17,125 18–7–4 40 Recap 30 December 13 Nashville 7–1 Vancouver Rinne 16,806 19–7–4 42 Recap 31 December 14 Nashville 4–0 Edmonton Saros 18,347 20–7–4 44 Recap 32 December 16 Nashville 2–0 Calgary Rinne 18,618 21–7–4 46 Recap 33 December 19 Winnipeg 6–4 Nashville Rinne 17,432 21–8–4 46 Recap 34 December 21 Carolina 4–1 Nashville Rinne 17,492 21–9–4 46 Recap 35 December 23 Nashville 3–4 Dallas SO Saros 18,532 21–9–5 47 Recap 36 December 27 Nashville 2–1 St. Louis Rinne 19,097 22–9–5 49 Recap 37 December 29 Nashville 2–4 Minnesota Rinne 19,147 22–10–5 49 Recap 38 December 30 Minnesota 0–3 Nashville Saros 17,459 23–10–5 51 Recap
January: 6–2–2 (Home: 4–1–1 ; Road: 2–1–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 39 January 2 Nashville 0–3 Vegas Rinne 18,171 23–11–5 51 Recap 40 January 4 Nashville 2–3 Arizona OT Saros 13,190 23–11–6 52 Recap 41 January 6 Nashville 4–3 Los Angeles Rinne 18,230 24–11–6 54 Recap 42 January 9 Edmonton 1–2 Nashville Rinne 17,188 25–11–6 56 Recap 43 January 16 Vegas 0–1 Nashville Saros 17,150 26–11–6 58 Recap 44 January 18 Arizona 2–3 Nashville SO Rinne 17,138 27–11–6 60 Recap 45 January 20 Florida 3–4 Nashville Rinne 17,441 28–11–6 62 Recap 46 January 23 Tampa Bay 4–3 Nashville OT Saros 17,332 28–11–7 63 Recap 47 January 25 Nashville 3–0 New Jersey Rinne 14,039 29–11–7 65 Recap 48 January 30 Chicago 2–1 Nashville Saros 17,172 29–12–7 65 Recap
February: 10–2–2 (Home: 6–2–0 ; Road: 4–0–2) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 49 February 1 Los Angeles 0–5 Nashville Rinne 17,384 30–12–7 67 Recap 50 February 3 NY Rangers 2–5 Nashville Rinne 17,543 31–12–7 69 Recap 51 February 5 Nashville 5–4 NY Islanders OT Rinne 10,217 32–12–7 71 Recap 52 February 7 Nashville 2–3 Toronto SO Rinne 18,878 32–12–8 72 Recap 53 February 8 Nashville 3–4 Ottawa OT Saros 14,632 32–12–9 73 Recap 54 February 10 Nashville 3–2 Montreal SO Rinne 21,302 33–12–9 75 Recap 55 February 13 St. Louis 3–4 Nashville OT Rinne 17,221 34–12–9 77 Recap 56 February 15 Calgary 4–3 Nashville Rinne 17,326 34–13–9 77 Recap 57 February 17 Detroit 3–1 Nashville Saros 17,561 34–14–9 77 Recap 58 February 19 Ottawa 2–5 Nashville Rinne 17,177 35–14–9 79 Recap 59 February 20 Nashville 3–2 Detroit Saros 19,515 36–14–9 81 Recap 60 February 22 San Jose 1–7 Nashville Rinne 17,354 37–14–9 83 Recap 61 February 25 St. Louis 0–4 Nashville Rinne 17,523 38–14–9 85 Recap 62 February 27 Nashville 6–5 Winnipeg Rinne 15,321 39–14–9 87 Recap
March: 11–3–2 (Home: 5–2–1 ; Road: 6–1–1) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 63 March 1 Nashville 4–2 Edmonton Rinne 18,347 40–14–9 89 Recap 64 March 2 Nashville 4–3 Vancouver OT Saros 18,470 41–14–9 91 Recap 65 March 4 Nashville 4–3 Colorado OT Rinne 17,618 42–14–9 93 Recap 66 March 6 Dallas 0–2 Nashville Rinne 17,342 43–14–9 95 Recap 67 March 8 Anaheim 2–4 Nashville Rinne 17,475 44–14–9 97 Recap 68 March 10 New Jersey 3–2 Nashville SO Saros 17,545 44–14–10 98 Recap 69 March 13 Winnipeg 1–3 Nashville Rinne 17,534 45–14–10 100 Recap 70 March 15 Nashville 3–2 Arizona Rinne 14,527 46–14–10 102 Recap 71 March 16 Nashville 4–2 Colorado Saros 17,273 47–14–10 104 Recap 72 March 19 Nashville 4–0 Buffalo Rinne 17,507 48–14–10 106 Recap 73 March 22 Toronto 5–2 Nashville Rinne 17,550 48–15–10 106 Recap 74 March 24 Nashville 1–4 Minnesota Rinne 19,303 48–16–10 106 Recap 75 March 25 Nashville 4–5 Winnipeg SO Saros 15,321 48–16–11 107 Recap 76 March 27 Minnesota 1–2 Nashville SO Rinne 17,424 49–16–11 109 Recap 77 March 29 San Jose 3–5 Nashville Saros 17,543 50–16–11 111 Recap 78 March 31 Buffalo 7–4 Nashville Rinne 17,551 50–17–11 111 Recap
April: 3–1–0 (Home: 1–0–0 ; Road: 2–1–0) # Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts Recap 79 April 1 Nashville 4–1 Tampa Bay Saros 19,092 51–17–11 113 Recap 80 April 3 Nashville 1–2 Florida Rinne 12,147 51–18–11 113 Recap 81 April 5 Nashville 4–3 Washington Saros 18,506 52–18–11 115 Recap 82 April 7 Columbus 2–4 Nashville Rinne 17,594 53–18–11 117 Recap
Legend:       Win (2 points)       Loss (0 points)       Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Player statistics

Final Stats

Skaters

Regular season Player GP G A Pts +/− PIM Arvidsson, ViktorViktor Arvidsson 78 29 32 61 20 36 Forsberg, FilipFilip Forsberg 67 26 38 64 27 38 Subban, P. K.P. K. Subban 82 16 43 59 18 82 Josi, RomanRoman Josi 75 14 39 53 24 24 Johansen, RyanRyan Johansen 79 15 39 54 13 78 Fiala, KevinKevin Fiala 80 23 25 48 20 26 Smith, CraigCraig Smith 79 25 26 51 20 24 Jarnkrok, CalleCalle Jarnkrok 68 16 19 35 20 12 Turris, KyleKyle Turris † || 65 || 13 || 29 || 42 || 22 || 24 Ekholm, MattiasMattias Ekholm 81 10 24 34 25 46 Sissons, ColtonColton Sissons 81 9 18 27 2 42 Ellis, RyanRyan Ellis 44 9 23 32 26 6 Hartnell, ScottScott Hartnell 62 13 11 24 –3 82 Bonino, NickNick Bonino 71 12 13 25 4 20 Watson, AustinAustin Watson 76 14 5 19 2 123 Emelin, AlexeiAlexei Emelin 76 1 8 9 9 40 Irwin, MattMatt Irwin 50 2 6 8 2 8 Aberg, PontusPontus Aberg ‡ || 37 || 2 || 6 || 8 || 8 || 8 Salomaki, MiikkaMiikka Salomaki 58 2 6 8 −8 34 Hartman, RyanRyan Hartman † || 21 || 3 || 3 || 6 || –4 || 14 Weber, YannickYannick Weber 47 2 3 5 2 16 Bitetto, AnthonyAnthony Bitetto 32 1 2 3 –1 27 Girard, SamuelSamuel Girard ‡ || 5 || 1 || 2 || 3 || −3 || 2 Gaudreau, FrédérickFrédérick Gaudreau 20 0 3 3 0 2 Fisher, MikeMike Fisher 16 2 2 4 0 8 McLeod, CodyCody McLeod ‡ || 23 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0 || 72 Tolvanen, EeliEeli Tolvanen 3 0 0 0 0 0

Playoffs Player GP G A Pts +/– PIM Forsberg, FilipFilip Forsberg 13 7 9 16 2 2 Johansen, RyanRyan Johansen 13 5 9 14 3 2 Arvidsson, ViktorViktor Arvidsson 13 5 4 9 –1 6 Subban, P. K.P. K. Subban 13 4 5 9 –2 10 Watson, AustinAustin Watson 13 5 3 8 3 12 Ekholm, MattiasMattias Ekholm 13 1 7 8 4 12 Sissons, ColtonColton Sissons 13 3 4 7 –2 8 Bonino, NickNick Bonino 13 2 3 5 –1 9 Ellis, RyanRyan Ellis 13 0 5 5 –4 8 Fiala, KevinKevin Fiala 12 3 1 4 –3 8 Smith, CraigCraig Smith 13 2 2 4 –3 2 Josi, RomanRoman Josi 13 0 4 4 –4 2 Hartman, RyanRyan Hartman 9 2 1 3 0 10 Turris, KyleKyle Turris 13 0 3 3 –3 6 Fisher, MikeMike Fisher 12 1 0 1 0 2 Weber, YannickYannick Weber 4 1 0 1 2 2 Jarnkrok, CalleCalle Jarnkrok 7 0 1 1 –3 0 Irwin, MattMatt Irwin 12 0 0 0 1 2 Emelin, AlexeiAlexei Emelin 10 0 0 0 –1 0 Salomaki, MiikkaMiikka Salomaki 8 0 0 0 –1 2 Hartnell, ScottScott Hartnell 4 0 0 0 –1 0

Goaltenders

Regular season

Player	GP	GS	TOI	W	L	OT	GA	GAA	SA	SV%	SO	G	A	PIM
Rinne, PekkaPekka Rinne	59	59	3,476:00	42	13	4	134	2.31	1706	.927	8	0	1	6
Saros, JuuseJuuse Saros	26	23	1,497:00	11	5	7	61	2.44	749	.925	3	0	2	0

Playoffs

Player	GP	GS	TOI	W	L	GA	GAA	SA	SV%	SO	G	A	PIM
Rinne, PekkaPekka Rinne	13	13	685	7	6	35	3.07	363	.904	2	0	0	0
Saros, JuuseJuuse Saros	4	0	114	0	0	2	1.05	42	.952	0	0	0	0

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining the Predators. Stats reflect time with the Predators only.
^‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with the Predators only.
Bold/italics denotes franchise record

Transactions

The Predators have been involved in the following transactions during the 2017–18 season.

Trades Date Details Ref July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01) To Colorado Avalanche Colin Wilson To Nashville Predators 4th-round pick in 2019 July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01) To Vegas Golden Knights 3rd-round pick in 2019 To Nashville Predators Alexei Emelin November 5, 2017 (2017-11-05) To Colorado Avalanche Samuel Girard Vladislav Kamenev 2nd-round pick in 2018 To Nashville Predators Kyle Turris February 3, 2018 (2018-02-03) To Dallas Stars Andrew O'Brien To Nashville Predators Mark McNeill February 25, 2018 (2018-02-25) To Edmonton Oilers Pontus Aberg To Nashville Predators Mark Letestu February 25, 2018 (2018-02-25) To Columbus Blue Jackets Mark Letestu To Nashville Predators 4th-round pick in 2018 February 25, 2018 (2018-02-25) To San Jose Sharks 6th-round pick in 2018 To Nashville Predators Brandon Bollig Troy Grosenick February 26, 2018 (2018-02-26) To Chicago Blackhawks Victor Ejdsell 1st-round pick in 2018 4th-round pick in 2018 To Nashville Predators Ryan Hartman 5th-round pick in 2018 February 26, 2018 (2018-02-26) To Arizona Coyotes Pierre-Cedric Labrie Trevor Murphy To Nashville Predators Tyler Gaudet John Ramage Free agents acquired Date Player Former team Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01) Nick Bonino Pittsburgh Penguins 4-year, $16.4 million July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01) Matt O'Connor Ottawa Senators 1-year, $650,000 July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01) Scott Hartnell Columbus Blue Jackets 1-year, $1 million July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01) Anders Lindback Rögle BK 1-year, $650,000 July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01) Pierre-Cedric Labrie Chicago Blackhawks 1-year, $650,000 April 2, 2018 (2018-04-02) Tanner Jeannot Moose Jaw Warriors 3-year, $2.14 million entry-level contract April 3, 2018 (2018-04-03) Niclas Westerholm SaiPa 3-year, $2.775 million entry-level contract April 26, 2018 (2018-04-26) Miroslav Svoboda HC Plzeň 2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract May 7, 2018 (2018-05-07) Filip Pyrochta HC Bílí Tygři Liberec 2-year, $1.85 million entry-level contract May 9, 2018 (2018-05-09) Carl Persson Karlskrona HK 2-year, $1.45 million entry-level contract Free agents lost Date Player New team Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 1, 2017 (2017-07-01) Brad Hunt Vegas Golden Knights 2-year, $1.3 million July 2, 2017 (2017-07-02) Mike Liambas Anaheim Ducks 1-year, $650,000 August 14, 2017 (2017-08-14) Marek Mazanec Slovan Bratislava Unknown August 17, 2017 (2017-08-17) Jaynen Rissling Allen Americans Unknown May 18, 2018 (2018-05-18) Petter Granberg Skellefteå AIK 3-year Claimed via waivers Player Previous team Date Ref Lost via waivers Player New team Date Ref Cody McLeod New York Rangers January 25, 2018 (2018-01-25) Players released Date Player Via Ref Lost via retirement Date Player Ref August 1, 2017 (2017-08-01) Mike Fisher September 13, 2017 (2017-09-13) Vernon Fiddler May 12, 2018 (2018-05-12) Mike Fisher Player signings Date Player Contract terms (in U.S. dollars) Ref July 17, 2017 (2017-07-17) Frederick Gaudreau 3-year, $2 million July 18, 2017 (2017-07-18) Pontus Aberg 2-year, $1.3 million July 21, 2017 (2017-07-21) Marek Mazanec 1-year, $650,000 July 22, 2017 (2017-07-22) Viktor Arvidsson 7-year, $29.75 million July 24, 2017 (2017-07-24) Austin Watson 3-year, $3.3 million July 28, 2017 (2017-07-28) Ryan Johansen 8-year, $64 million November 5, 2017 (2017-11-05) Kyle Turris 6-year, $36 million contract extension January 9, 2018 (2018-01-09) Anthony Bitetto 1-year, $650,000 contract extension January 9, 2018 (2018-01-09) Matt Irwin 2-year, $1.35 million contract extension January 9, 2018 (2018-01-09) Yannick Weber 2-year, $1.35 million contract extension February 26, 2018 (2018-02-26) Mike Fisher 1-year, $1 million March 29, 2018 (2018-03-29) Eeli Tolvanen 3-year, $9.4375 million entry-level contract Draft picks See also: List of Nashville Predators draft picks Below are the Nashville Predators' selections at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, which was held on June 23 and 24, 2017 at the United Center in Chicago. Round # Player Pos Nationality College/Junior/Club Team (League) 1 30 Eeli Tolvanen RW Finland Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) 2 61 Grant Mismash C United States U.S. NTDP (USHL) 3 92 David Farrance D United States U.S. NTDP (USHL) 5 154 Tomas Vomacka G Czech Republic Corpus Christi IceRays (NAHL) 6 1761 Pavel Koltygin C Russia Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL) 7 216 Jacob Paquette D Canada Kingston Frontenacs (OHL) Draft notes: The New York Rangers' sixth-round pick went to the Nashville Predators as the result of a trade on July 1, 2015, that sent Magnus Hellberg to New York in exchange for this pick. References Nashville Predators Franchise • Players • Coaches • GMs • Seasons • Records • Draft picks • Sommet Center • Milwaukee Admirals • New Mexico Scorpions