The Nashville Predators, commonly known as the Preds or as the Predators, is a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. Notably, they have competed in the Western Conference throughout their existence and have been successful in claiming two division championships alongside a conference championship and a Presidents’ Trophy each.
Established in 1998 as an expansion team, the Predators began play in 1998-99 and struggled throughout their first five seasons before making their first playoff appearance in 2003–04. Over the years, they've had ups and downs, experiencing postseason success, including their first playoff series win in 2010–11, and reaching the Stanley Cup finals in 2016–17. Despite winning the Presidents' Trophy in 2017–18 for the best regular-season record, the Predators have had mixed results in recent postseasons, facing challenges in advancing past the opening rounds.
Nashville Predators NHL Playoff History and Appearances
The Nashville Predators have a playoff history spanning multiple seasons. Since their inception in 1998, they've made 16 playoff appearances. Notable achievements include reaching the Stanley Cup finals in the 2016–17 season, where they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and winning the Presidents' Trophy in the 2017–18 season. Despite facing ups and downs, including missing the playoffs in some seasons, the Predators have consistently showcased their competitive spirit in the postseason.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, they struggled to secure playoff berths, missing out for several consecutive seasons. The 2010s saw them making strides with their pinnacle coming in the 2016–17 season, where they made a remarkable run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Despite this achievement, subsequent seasons saw them facing challenges, including early playoff exits and failing to qualify for the postseason altogether.
A table exploring Nashville Predators’ Playoff history and Appearances is provided below:
Year | Record | Result |
| 2023 | 42-32-8 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2022 | 45-30-7 | Lost First Round |
| 2021 | 31-23-2 | Lost First Round |
| 2020 | 35-26-8 | Lost Qualifying Round |
| 2019 | 47-29-6 | Lost First Round |
| 2018 | 53-18-11 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 2017 | 41-29-12 | Lost Stanley Cup Final |
| 2016 | 41-27-14 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 2015 | 47-25-10 | Lost First Round |
| 2014 | 38-32-12 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2013 | 16-23-9 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2012 | 48-26-8 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 2011 | 44-27-11 | Lost Conference Semi-Finals |
| 2010 | 47-29-6 | Lost First Round |
| 2009 | 40-34-8 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2008 | 41-32-9 | Lost First Round |
| 2007 | 51-23-8 | Lost First Round |
| 2006 | 49-25-8 | Lost First Round |
| 2004 | 38-29-11-4 | Lost First Round |
| 2003 | 27-35-13-7 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2002 | 28-41-13 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2001 | 34-36-9-3 | Missed Playoffs |
| 2000 | 28-40-7-7 | Missed Playoffs |
| 1999 | 28-47-7 | Missed Playoffs |
Nashville Predators Conference History
The Nashville Predators have been a regular in the Western Conference throughout their NHL history. Since their inaugural season in 1998, they have competed in the Western Conference, demonstrating their competitiveness and resilience against their opponents. Notable moments include their run to the Stanley Cup finals in the 2016–17 season and their consistent presence in the playoffs over the years. Despite facing challenges, the Predators have consistently been contenders within the Western Conference.
A table exploring Nashville Predators’ Conference history is provided below:
Predators season | Conference | Result |
| 1998–99 | Western | Did not qualify |
| 1999–00 | Western | Did not qualify |
| 2000–01 | Western | Did not qualify |
| 2001–02 | Western | Did not qualify |
| 2002–03 | Western | Did not qualify |
| 2003–04 | Western | Lost in Conference quarterfinals (Red Wings), 2–4 |
| 2004–05 | - | Season cancelled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout |
| 2005–06 | Western | Lost in Conference quarterfinals (Sharks), 1–4 |
| 2006–07 | Western | Lost in Conference quarterfinals (Sharks), 1–4 |
| 2007–08 | Western | Lost in Conference quarterfinals (Red Wings), 2–4 |
| 2008–09 | Western | Did not qualify |
| 2009–10 | Western | Lost in Conference quarterfinals (Blackhawks), 2–4 |
| 2010–11 | Western | Won in Conference quarterfinals (Ducks), 4–2Lost in Conference semifinals (Canucks), 2–4 |
| 2011–12 | Western | Won in Conference quarterfinals (Red Wings), 4–1Lost in Conference semifinals (Coyotes), 1–4 |
| 2012–13 | Western | Did not qualify |
| 2013–14 | Western | Did not qualify |
| 2014–15 | Western | Lost in First round (Blackhawks), 2–4 |
| 2015–16 | Western | Won in First round (Ducks), 4–3Lost in Second round (Sharks), 3–4 |
| 2016–17 | Western | Won in First round (Blackhawks), 4–0Won in Second round (Blues), 4–2Won in Conference Final (Ducks), 4–2Lost in Stanley Cup Finals (Penguins), 2–4 |
| 2017–18 | Western | Won in First round (Avalanche), 4–2Lost in Second round (Jets), 3–4 |
| 2018–19 | Western | Lost in First round (Stars), 2–4 |
| 2019–20 | Western | Lost in Qualifying Round (Coyotes), 1–3 |
| 2020–21 | — | Lost in First round (Hurricanes), 2–4 |
| 2021–22 | Western | Lost in First round (Avalanche), 0–4 |
| 2022–23 | Western | Did not qualify |
Nashville Predators Division History
Throughout their NHL history, the Nashville Predators have predominantly competed in the Central Division of the Western Conference. Since their establishment in 1998, the Predators have been a mainstay in the Central Division, facing off against rivals within the division and vying for division titles. Despite facing challenges along the way, including tough competition and changes in the league's landscape, the Predators have maintained a competitive presence within the Central Division.
In the early years of the late 1990s and early 2000s, they struggled to find their footing, often finishing with losing records. However, they gradually improved, with notable seasons where they secured playoff berths and posted respectable regular-season records. The mid to late 2000s marked a period of relative consistency, with the team frequently clinching playoff spots and achieving strong regular-season performances. This trend continued into the early 2010s, with the team maintaining a competitive edge in the division. Their peak came in the 2017–18 season, where they boasted an impressive record of 53 wins, and secured the Division title and the Presidents’ Trophy in the process. Moreover, they won their second Division title the following season, where they posted a record of 47-29-6. However, in recent years, they have experienced fluctuations in form, with some seasons marked by subpar performances.
A table exploring the Nashville Predators' division history along with their regular season records is provided below:
Year | Division | Regular season |
| 2023 | Central | 42-32-8 |
| 2022 | Central | 45-30-7 |
| 2021 | Central | 31-23-2 |
| 2020 | Central | 35-26-8 |
| 2019 | Central (#1) | 47-29-6 |
| 2018 | Central (#1) | 53-18-11 |
| 2017 | Central | 41-29-12 |
| 2016 | Central | 41-27-14 |
| 2015 | Central | 47-25-10 |
| 2014 | Central | 38-32-12 |
| 2013 | Central | 16-23-9 |
| 2012 | Central | 48-26-8 |
| 2011 | Central | 44-27-11 |
| 2010 | Central | 47-29-6 |
| 2009 | Central | 40-34-8 |
| 2008 | Central | 41-32-9 |
| 2007 | Central | 51-23-8 |
| 2006 | Central | 49-25-8 |
| 2005 | - | NHL Lockout |
| 2004 | Central | 38-29-11-4 |
| 2003 | Central | 27-35-13-7 |
| 2002 | Central | 28-41-13 |
| 2001 | Central | 34-36-9-3 |
| 2000 | Central | 28-40-7-7 |
| 1999 | Central | 28-47-7 |
FAQs on Nashville Predators Playoff History
A. The Nashville Predators made their first playoff appearance in the 2003–04 NHL season.
A. The Nashville Predators reached the Stanley Cup Finals once in their history, during the 2016–17 NHL season.
A. The Nashville Predators have won the Presidents' Trophy once for having the best regular-season record in the NHL. They achieved this feat during the 2017–18 season.
A. The Predators' best playoff performance in terms of rounds won was during the 2016–17 NHL season when they won three rounds and reached the Stanley Cup Finals.
A. The Nashville Predators have missed the NHL playoffs a total of twelve times since their establishment in 1998.
