How much will having arguably the worst 1C in the Western Conference hurt the Predators?

[aufheben]

And minus Turris.

Fall 2016: "The Predators will miss the playoffs" -- *win Western Conference*
Summer 2017 -- "The Predators got lucky" -- *win Presidents' Trophy*

 

[Romang67]

Did everyone forget that the Predators were 2 wins away from a Cup with Johansen literally last season?

To be fair, he got injured before the finals. It makes perfect sense that the cup runner up added Johansen, Turris and Bonino to their finals lineup, and people question how much their C depth will hurt them.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Not a whole lot because 1C is perhaps the most overrated position in hockey and they can compensate for it quite well in other areas. Most notably the D, which I consider significantly more important than C overall.

Ask Montreal about how overrated center depth is.

 

[ChiHawks10]

Ask Montreal about how overrated center depth is.

He said a 1C. Not center depth. A team with 2x 2C and a 3C and 4C can definitely win the Cup. A team can be lacking a legitimate 1C and still have solid center depth.

 

[Armourboy]

He said a 1C. Not center depth. A team with 2x 2C and a 3C and 4C can definitely win the Cup. A team can be lacking a legitimate 1C and still have solid center depth.

Well and that's not counting Sissons or Jarnkrok, both of which play wing now, but played a ton of center in last years run.

 

[jumb0]

This is why they'll lose to Colorado. They can't matchup with Mack.

October 17th

Preds 4 Avs 1

November 18th

Preds 5 Avs 2

March 4th

Preds 4 Avs 3 (OT)

March 16th

Preds 4 Avs 2



Yep, clearly Mackinnon is too much for the Preds to handle

 

[Peggy]

This is why they'll lose to Colorado. They can't matchup with Mack.

and what if Mack gets shutdown?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

He said a 1C. Not center depth. A team with 2x 2C and a 3C and 4C can definitely win the Cup. A team can be lacking a legitimate 1C and still have solid center depth.

No they can't when was the last time that happened?

Crosby Malkin
Crosby Malkin
Towes
Kopitar
Towes
Kopitar
Bergeron
Towes
Crosby Malkin
Datsyuk
Andy Macdonald there is your best argument but he had 78 points and 85 the previous season.

Staal
Lecaviler

It hasn't happened going back to 2004

 

[UnderratedBrooks44]

Not a whole lot because 1C is perhaps the most overrated position in hockey and they can compensate for it quite well in other areas. Most notably the D, which I consider significantly more important than C overall.

Is this for real?

Anyways, Johansen is an addition since they made the Finals last year, and did people forget him against Kesler last year? I think Johansen is lazy, but he was a horse in the playoffs last year before getting hurt. If he wasn't hurt and they ended up winning it all he probably would've had a Conn Smythe last year at the rate he was going.

 

[ChiHawks10]

No they can't when was the last time that happened?

Crosby Malkin
Crosby Malkin
Towes
Kopitar
Towes
Kopitar
Bergeron
Towes
Crosby Malkin
Datsyuk
Andy Macdonald there is your best argument but he had 78 points and 85 the previous season.

Staal
Lecaviler

It hasn't happened going back to 2004

Yes, because it hasn't happened recently, it has never happened, and will never happen, ever. Sound logic.

The point was, you said center depth. The Hawks won 3 Cups with mediocre/thrown together center depth.

 

[TitansVolsPreds615]

Also the same 3 teams have basically alternated winning the Cup for the last 8 years or so.

 

[PensandCaps]

October 17th

Preds 4 Avs 1

November 18th

Preds 5 Avs 2

March 4th

Preds 4 Avs 3 (OT)

March 16th

Preds 4 Avs 2



Yep, clearly Mackinnon is too much for the Preds to handle

Pens swept the Bruins in 2013....Reg season means sqaut.

 

[jumb0]

Pens swept the Bruins in 2013....Reg season means sqaut.

And a lockout shortened season means even less. Not to mention you're talking a 1 v 4 conference finals not a 1 v 8 (and 16 overall) opening round.

 

[PensandCaps]

And a lockout shortened season means even less. Not to mention you're talking a 1 v 4 conference finals not a 1 v 8 (and 16 overall) opening round.

We shall see.

 

[PuckSeparator]

Well they went to the finals and managed to put up a fight with Colton Sissons as #1C last year, so I think they should be ok with RyJo and Turris.

 

[ColbyChaos]

We shall see.

You should double down and make a bet if you are so set on the Preds losing. Avs have no Varly, and no Johnson. Preds can Johansen can shadow MacKinnon's line (which is also the only scary line the Avs have) and limit them. Rest of the Avs from lines 2-4 are miles weaker and calling them the favorite is just a hilairously dumb hot take

 

[PensandCaps]

You should double down and make a bet if you are so set on the Preds losing. Avs have no Varly, and no Johnson. Preds can Johansen can shadow MacKinnon's line (which is also the only scary line the Avs have) and limit them. Rest of the Avs from lines 2-4 are miles weaker and calling them the favorite is just a hilairously dumb hot take

Never called them the favorite.
I just expect an upset. Especially with how hot Mack is.

 

[ColbyChaos]

Never called them the favorite.
I just expect an upset. Especially with how hot Mack is.

His impact will be pretty limited compared to his stretch at the end of the regular season. Johansen's line and the preds best shutdown pair will probably be on them as thats the only line the Avs had that can consistently score.

 

[PensandCaps]

His impact will be pretty limited compared to his stretch at the end of the regular season. Johansen's line and the preds best shutdown pair will probably be on them as thats the only line the Avs had that can consistently score.

Sodas line has been pretty consistent all season aswell.

 

[CamPopplestone]

Nashville is a team built on depth. If they lose I don't think that's the reason, given what they achieved last season with less. Turris as your #2 C is fantastic, and despite being overpaid, Bonino is a great #3 C. And if an injury hits, all of their centres are able to move up a line and not miss a beat, at least in a pinch short term

 

[predfan24]

Pens swept the Bruins in 2013....Reg season means sqaut.

I agree regular season results between two teams means nothing when predicting playoff results. However, there is absolutely no basis for anyone to assert the Preds can't handle Mack. Nothing in previous history indicates that. He's awesome so he will produce some offense. Preds will be trying to contain, not completely shut down, Mack.

I feel strongly Arvy, Joey and Forsberg will either match or get close to Mackinnon's line's numbers for the whole series and if that happens it's game over.

 

[predfan24]

Never called them the favorite.
I just expect an upset. Especially with how hot Mack is.

One line teams don't win in the playoffs. The Preds are too good on the back end and in goal to let Mack's line run all over them. Unsung heros from lines 2-4 will have to step up but on paper the Preds have a significant advantage in those areas. Of course, games aren't played on paper. Let's see what happens.

 

[MMC]

Johansen is easily better than all of those except MacKinnon and maaaybe Kopitar. You must have missed him last playoffs

What? Johansen doesn’t come close to Schiefele, Kopitar, or Getzlaf.

 

[PensandCaps]

What? Johansen doesn’t come close to Schiefele, Kopitar, or Getzlaf.

Lol "maybbe Kopitar" as if it's even close..

 

[ColbyChaos]

Preds were walked the entire game. If only they had a true 1C that could contain MacKinnon and the inevitable 10 goals he will score (all 3 on 5 shorthanded) in game 2 they're toast.