2017 Second Round Game 7 vs Anaheim – Nashville 4, Anaheim 3

Lore & Background

The club was founded in 1997, when the NHL granted an expansion franchise to Craig Leipold, with the team beginning play in the 1998–99 season. After five seasons, the Predators qualified for their first Stanley Cup playoffs during the 2003–04 season. In 2008, ownership of the team was transferred from Leipold to a locally based ownership group. The Predators advanced to their first Stanley Cup Final in 2017, but were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. In the following season, the Predators won their first Presidents' Trophy and Central Division title.

Reader's Guide

The Predators began play during the 1998–99 season, taking to the ice for the first time on October 10, 1998, where they lost 1–0 at home to the Florida Panthers. Three nights later, on October 13, they defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3–2 for their first win. The Predators finished second-to-last in the Western Conference with a 28–47–7 record. In the 2003–04 season, the Predators finished eighth in the Western Conference, qualifying for their first postseason berth. The Predators were eliminated by the Detroit Red Wings in six games in the first round of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs. In the 2005–06 season, the Predators became only the fourth NHL franchise to start the season 8–0. By the end of the season, the Predators had accumulated 106 points and clinched home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs for the first time in team history. However, the Predators would be eliminated by the San Jose Sharks in five games in the first round of the 2006 playoffs. In the 2006–07 season, the Predators finished the third best record in the league with 110 points. They were defeated by the Sharks in the first round of the 2007 playoffs for the second year in a row, losing the series 4–1.

Did You Know?

• The Predators' logo, a saber-toothed cat (Smilodon fatalis), references a partial Smilodon skeleton found beneath downtown Nashville in 1971.
• The franchise name 'Predators' was submitted by owner Craig Leipold and won a fan vote over 'Ice Tigers,' 'Fury,' and 'Attack.'
• The Predators played two games in Tokyo against the Pittsburgh Penguins to begin the 2000–01 season, drawing crowds of over 13,000.
• Goaltender Chris Mason became the ninth goaltender to score a goal in the NHL during the 2005–06 season.