Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues

Nashville Predators: 17th season in the NHL, new coach, and a first-round playoff exit.

The Nashville Predators were established on June 25, 1997, and the 2014–15 season was their 17th season in the National Hockey League.

Quick Facts

Opposing team

St. Louis Blues

Division

Central Division (NHL)

Rivalry type

Divisional; intra-conference

Active since

1998–99 season (Nashville's first year)

Tone

Grinding
physical
season-long

Playoff meetings

Multiple first-round and later-round series across the 2000s and 2010s

Lore & Background

The Predators missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second straight year in 2013–14. After 17 years as head coach, Barry Trotz was relieved of his duties. Peter Laviolette was hired as head coach on May 6, 2014, and Kevin McCarthy was hired as an assistant coach. On June 27, 2014, the Predators traded Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling to the Pittsburgh Penguins for James Neal. In the 2015 playoffs, the Predators entered as the Central Division's second seed and lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games in the first round.