For years, the city of Nashville was desperate to land a professional sports franchise. They encouraged both NHL and NBA teams to relocate to the Music City, even building an arena without the promise of a team. In 1998, the city got a little more than it has asked for. The same year that the NFL's Tennessee Titans moved to Nashville full-time, the Nashville Predators also played their inaugural season in the NHL.

A Team with Traditions

For such a young franchise, the Predators and their fan base have been quick to build a sense of tradition. Starting in 2008, it became a ritual for fans at Bridgestone Arena to give the Predators a standing ovation throughout the final TV timeout of the 3rd period. Nashville has also gained a reputation for having some of the loudest fans in the NHL. A fan group called The Cellblock that sits in Section 303 of Bridgestone Arena claims to be “the loudest section of the loudest arena” in all of hockey. Predators fans will also occasionally throw catfish onto the ice, an odd twist on the tradition of Detroit Red Wings fans throwing octopus into the rink.

Taking a While

It’s taken a little while for Nashville’s play to catch up with the enthusiasm shown by their fans. After getting started in 1998, the Predators didn’t make the playoffs for the first time until the 2003-04 season, and it took the franchise until 2011 to win a playoff series.

But the Predators have started to turn things around. In 2017, despite finishing 8th in the Western Conference, the Predators made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history, beating the Blackhawks, Blues, and Ducks on their way to the finals. The following season, the Predators captured the Presidents’ Cup for the first time, leading the NHL with 117 points and showing their loyal fans that Nashville is a place that can produce a winner on the ice.