Smashville, can you feel it? That electricity in the air? The buzz around the city? The Stanley Cup Playoffs have finally returned. The moment that all of Smashville and the Predators organization have been waiting almost a year for is back. The Preds’ march to lift hockey’s ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup, starts tonight.
It seems like ages ago when we watched as the Preds fell to the Penguins in Game 6 of the Finals last year and Bridgestone Arena emptied. Fans spilled onto Broadway and were left wondering what just happened? It’s been a long, historic road back. The Predators were on a mission this year to prove that they would return and be even better than before. Along the way, the team picked up their first Central Division Championship and the Presidents’ Trophy, but that wasn’t what was on the team’s mind. This team has been focused on one goal all season. The other accomplishments are great, but they mean nothing if the season doesn’t end with Roman Josi lifting the Cup. Tonight, the Predators begin their quest for the Stanley Cup but this time with unfinished business.
By now, I’m sure you’ve seen the number 61:35. That’s the number that has been ingrained into the Predators’ minds ever since Game 6. In case you haven’t heard of that number, that’s how close the Preds were to winning the Stanley Cup last year. 61 minutes and 35 seconds. They were that close. Do you think they haven’t thought about that number for the last 10 months? That 61:35 hasn’t been eating them alive, going over every detail from the Finals trying to figure out what they could have done differently?
Give credit to the Predators. They haven’t backed down from last season’s disappointment, but they’ve embraced it and used it as motivation and fuel.
As fans, we need to do the same. Embrace the moment, Smashville. This team is special and we should enjoy every moment of it. Let’s have fun this post-season. Let’s fill up Broadway again with hundreds of thousands of screaming hockey fans. Sneak a catfish into the arena and throw it on the ice. Stay up until 3:00 AM because the game is in the 3rd OT even though you have to be at work in a few hours. Go absolutely nuts when the Predators score and chant at the goalie until he feels so bad that he allows another. Then start it over. Who cares if the rest of the NHL doesn’t like it? This is Smashville.
They said hockey would never work here and we proved them wrong by doing it our own way. That’s what I love about this city and this team. We don’t care what everyone else says. We do things differently here. Hell, we just got a catfish tank in Bridgestone Arena! Hockey is supposed to be fun, so let’s have fun with this. If we hold up our end of the bargain, the Predators will hold up theirs. This is a special team with a special connection to the city, and the party will just be getting started when it’s all said and done with the Predators skating around the ice lifting the Stanley Cup above their heads.
It all starts tonight, so get your mind right and embrace the moment. We’re in for one helluva ride. #StandWithUs
Herbie Brooks is the Lead Hockey Analyst for SoBros Network. He knows three things: beating Commies, winning Gold Medals, and having great hair. Follow him on Twitter: @SoBroHerbie_B
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