Nashville Predators

The Nashville Predators joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1998. At the time, the league was looking for a new western team to help grow the league. The Predators had a strong hockey tradition and were a popular team in the southern part of the United States. The team played its first season in Nashville at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Predators were among the most successful teams in their inaugural season, making the playoffs and reaching the Stanley Cup Finals. However, the team could not win the championship, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.

The Predators continued to be one of the most successful teams in the league, reaching the playoffs every season except 2005-06. The team made it to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017 but was once again defeated by the Chicago Blackhawks. The Predators have consistently been one of the top teams in the league and are currently in the midst of a playoff run. If they can make it to the championship, they will become the first team in franchise history to win the Stanley Cup.