10 March 2020: Nashville Predators 4-2 Montreal Canadiens in front of more than 21,000 fans at the Bridgestone Arena.
It would prove to be the final game in front of fans for Nashville’s professional hockey team for almost a year.
The franchise then bowed out of the playoffs in the Qualifying Round with a 1-3 defeat to the Arizona Coyotes, with two home games in front of an empty arena.
Back to the Arena
Fast forward 329 days when a limited number of fans were allowed into the Bridgestone Arena stands when the Predators took on Central Division rivals Chicago on Tuesday night. Tickets were only available to season ticket holders, who themselves had to go through a lottery to be lucky enough to watch in person.
Those that were able to attend will have enjoyed the game as Jon Hynes’ side ended their three-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Blackhawks. Roman Josi scoring the winning goal.
Playoffs?
How far Nashville can go this season is anyone’s guess. Whilst they are expected to make the playoffs again, their odds are way back at 25/1 on ohio-bet.com to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in their history.
A shootout victory in their last outing has taken Nashville to the top of a tight Central Division with a 4-3-0 record.
Viktor Arvidsson has made an impressive start to the new campaign, with one goal and four assists, whilst Filip Forsberg is the star of the team with his four goals. They will be relying on the latter and Roman Josi to produce if they are to make it to the post-season.
The top four teams in each division will make the playoffs this season. The Predators can expect to be behind the likes of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes and Dallas Stars in the division, and be fighting it out with Florida and Columbus if everything goes to plan. Which rarely happens in sport as it is.
On the Road Again
Back to the current times, the Predators will finish the month in Tampa Bay before they next play host on 8 February. This past Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as season ticket holders in attendance, families and guests of players were also in attendance, though the franchise have yet to release an actual number.
The Predators had opted not to allow any fans into the arena to start the new season, despite receiving approval for 15% capacity. Instead, they took their time to ensure proper protocols were in place before a limited crowd entered for their fifth home game of the 2020-21 season.
Fans will be hoping they can continue to attend games as the season progresses, with greater hope that more than 15% of capacity can get tickets too. But as long as there’s hockey going ahead, fans won’t complain too much. And should the Predators continue to win then even greater news for the fans down in Nashville.
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