The Nashville Predators are hosting their final home game of the season on Sunday, and everyone wants to be there.
With Bridgestone Arena filled to capacity, close to 100,000 fans were expected to gather outside for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The festivities were kicked off by a free Luke Bryan concert, which no doubt drew some bodies to the area.
In fact, the first head coach in Vegas Golden Knights history has not spent any time at all attempting to project the team's roster after this , he told team insider Gary Lawless.
"I'll coach the players we get," Gallant said. "And as long as we're working hard - we'll be just fine."
Gallant also said he received a call from Golden Knights general manager George McPhee only a couple of weeks after being fired by the Florida Panthers in late November.
He first interviewed for the head coaching job a few weeks after the call, and knew right then he wanted the gig, although the the official announcement of his hiring was made on April 13.
Despite not doing any personal projections, Gallant expects some "real good players" to be selected by McPhee in the expansion draft.
Results will be made public at the NHL Awards on June 21.
The Florida Panthers are expected to name Bob Boughner as their new head coach as early as Monday. The promotion will lift Boughner from his role as assistant coach of the San Jose Sharks, where he worked under former Panthers bench boss, Pete DeBoer.
DeBoer believes his former employer is doing the right thing by poaching his assistant from the past two seasons.
"The best compliment I can give him is that if I was hiring a new coach for a team, he would be a guy I would hire," said DeBoer, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald.
Boughner has 10 years of NHL experience as a player, but DeBoer says his protege isn't resting on old laurels.
"He came up the right way," DeBoer said. "He rode the buses and didn't just expect to get a job. He worked hard for this, paid his dues and deserves this. I have no doubt he is going to be successful."
Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final will mark the team's 49th playoff game over the past two seasons, the most played by a single team in a two-year period in NHL history, according to the Penguins.
Pittsburgh, of course, beat the San Jose Sharks in Game 6 of the Final to win the Cup last year, and will be out to do the same against the Nashville Predators on Sunday.
Here's a look at the club's opponents round-by-round over the past two postseasons.
2016: 24 Games
Round
Opponent
Games
1
Rangers
5
2
Capitals
6
3
Lightning
7
4
Sharks
6
2017: 25 Games (at least)
Round
Opponent
Games
1
Blue Jackets
5
2
Capitals
7
3
Senators
7
4
Predators
6 (at least)
If Pittsburgh is indeed able to finish off the Predators in Game 6 or 7 (if necessary), the Penguins would become the first repeat champions since the Detroit Red Wings accomplished the feat in 1997 and 1998.
A familiar voice has been noticeably absent from the Stanley Cup Final over the last few days, and it's a trend that's gone from strange to problematic.
It's unusual, to say the least, for the always forthright Predators superstar to go this long without talking, and particularly odd for him to be unavailable on the day of the biggest game in Predators history.
The whole situation raises several questions:
Was he muzzled?
It's unclear whether the Predators are ordering Subban not to speak, but given how media-savvy the ever-affable defenseman typically is, and especially how press-friendly he was at the start of the series, it's weird, particularly at this juncture of the Cup Final.
If Nashville's public relations staff is intentionally hiding him, that's doing a disservice to their fans and supporters of hockey everywhere. If it's his own decision, it would be a truly surprising one for a player who's normally one of the most accommodating players in the league.
Is this related to anything he's said or done?
Subban has certainly been a lightning rod for controversy throughout this series. He guaranteed the Predators would win Game 3, then doubled down on it, but the eventual fallout from that contest might be more to blame for his mysterious media abstinence.
It's possible the Predators might not have been thrilled about Subban's "Listerine" joke that Sidney Crosby treated as an honest accusation by claiming the Predators blue-liner "made that up" (of course he did).
If Nashville was at all unnerved by Subban "lying" about what Crosby said to him, the Predators organization is showing they - like the Penguins captain himself - haven't been in the mood to laugh about it.
Is this actually allowed?
Here's the important thing about this whole mess: It's probably against the rules.
The Predators violated terms agreed upon by the NHL and the Professional Hockey Writers Association, according to The Buffalo News' Mike Harrington.
Those rules stipulate that players who skate on game days are supposed to be made available to talk, and so the PHWA was expected to file a grievance to the league about Subban's absence, according to Wyshynski.
Some fans might say they couldn't care less about the media's problems, but there are guidelines in place to prevent this sort of thing from happening for a reason.
Players don't talk much during the playoffs beyond specifically scheduled times as it is, but not hearing from the Predators' brightest star on the day of the biggest game of his career and the biggest game in the history of the franchise isn't just a media problem. It should be frustrating for everyone.
The Pittsburgh Penguins entered the 2016-17 season with targets on their backs, as 29 teams aimed to knock them off their perch as reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Now, eight months since the start of the campaign, the Pens sit one win shy of repeating as champions and can become the first team since the juggernaut Red Wings of the late 90's to win back-to-back Stanley Cups.
Let's get the obvious out of the way: the Penguins employ Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the driving forces behind a decade-plus of success. However, no team reaches this point (let alone twice in a row) without playing as a cohesive unit, and the man leading the way on that front is head coach Mike Sullivan.
Since taking over for Mike Johnston in December 2015, Sullivan's had the magic touch. He turned around a distraught, underachieving team and instilled simplicity to a roster laden with firepower - and the results speak for themselves.
In 136 regular-season games under Sullivan since last season, the Penguins have recorded 182 points. That's the second-highest point total over that stretch, trailing only the Capitals, who, quite frankly, have nothing to boast about to their Metropolitan Division adversaries.
Not to mention, Sullivan's yet to lose a playoff series.
That's not to say it's been an easy ride - Sullivan's track record of decision-making along the way has paid off time and time again. After Marc-Andre Fleury gutted his way to a series victory over Washington and subsequently faltered against the Senators, Sullivan decided the crease belonged to rookie Matt Murray, who's been a rock ever since.
Amid a heated exchange between Phil Kessel and Malkin on the bench during Game 2 of the Ottawa series, Sullivan did what he always does: let his players sort it out on the ice. They ultimately did just that, with no fuel added to the fire.
Tactically, the Penguins aren't the strongest team. In fact, much has been made of Pittsburgh's knack for allowing more shots than it takes. Yet the Pens' rope-a-dope, quick-strike style has still pushed the Nashville Predators' seemingly impenetrable defensive corps to the brink. Sullivan's commitment to the oft-criticized strategy has also crushed the Blue Jackets, ousted the Capitals, and outlasted the Senators - all without the irreplaceable Kris Letang patrolling the blue line.
Mired in a six-season gap between Stanley Cup Final appearances, the Penguins' championship pedigree appeared to be diminishing as the club sat fifth in the Metro upon Sullivan's hiring 18 months ago. Since then, the 46-year-old has restored the club's winning ways, and the Penguins have performed a complete 180 to sit on the verge of a feat no team in the salary-cap era has been able to accomplish.
The word "legacy" has been tossed around ad nauseam throughout the finals, mainly with respect to the careers of Crosby and Malkin, who are each within reach of a third ring. But it's also their boss - quietly leading the way in an attempt to claim his second title in as many tries - who deserves praise for writing quite a remarkable story himself.
Matt Irwin isn't the Nashville Predators head coach, nor is he a member of the training staff, but the defenseman anticipates teammate Ryan Ellis playing in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final.
"We fully expect Ryan to play," Irwin told reporters after the Predators' game-day skate Sunday, according to The Tennessean's Adam Vingan.
Ellis skated on his own before Nashville's optional session and did not join his teammates for the rest of the practice.
The blue-liner couldn't put much power on his shot while skating alone, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.
Ellis left Game 5 with an injury, his absence in Game 6 would obviously have a significant impact on the Predators' defense corps.
He ranks fourth on the club in average ice time in these playoffs and has been playing critical minutes alongside Roman Josi.
The Nashville Predators' success this postseason could not have come at a better time for the NHL and the Vegas Golden Knights. This run to the Stanley Cup Final has put Nashville on the map as a legitimate hockey market, even though attendance has never been a major issue - with the exception of a few seasons - in the Predators' existence.
Though they're by no means the same city, Nashville and Las Vegas have some striking similarities that should ease some of the concerns people have about Sin City's ability to support an NHL team.
Untapped market
Just like the Predators in 1998, the Golden Knights will be entering an untapped professional sports market. There's no NBA or MLB team in either city, and while the NFL's Tennessee Titans also moved to Nashville full time in 1998, the Golden Knights won't have to worry about the Raiders moving to Vegas until 2019 or 2020.
The Golden Knights will therefore have a nice head start on their local NFL counterpart when it comes to building a fan base in the city - something the Predators didn't have the luxury of when they started out.
Downtown arena
This is perhaps the most important similarity between the two. If Nashville's Bridgestone Arena wasn't located in the city's downtown core, there's a chance "Smashville" doesn't even exist. Lacking a downtown arena is a major reason teams such as Ottawa, Arizona, and Florida struggle to sell out.
In addition to increased attendance, having a downtown arena can affect a city's culture. Crowds pile outside of the building to take part in festivities and watch the game on the big screen during the playoffs, and you can bet Vegas will have something similar if the Golden Knights ever make noise in the postseason.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Desirable tourist destination
After seeing the ongoing party in the streets during the Stanley Cup Final - and the atmosphere in the arena - it's safe to say that seeing an NHL game in Nashville is on just about every hockey fan's bucket list.
If Vegas can follow suit, even with half the crowd energy, it will be a desirable tourist destination for hockey fans, especially given the abundance of other entertainment the city has to offer.
Just win, baby
Party atmosphere aside, Music City's continent-wide surge in popularity is because of one thing: winning.
Like almost all expansion teams, the Predators struggled in the early going, failing to make the playoffs in each of their first five seasons. However, they kept the fan base interested by eventually reeling off a run of seven playoff appearances in eight seasons. Sustained success after the "new-team shine" wears off is crucial for any young franchise.
However, perhaps the biggest takeaway from Nashville's success for Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is the importance of stability within an organization. David Poile has been the Predators' only general manager, and Peter Laviolette is just the second head coach in the club's history. George McPhee and Gerard Gallant are in it for the long haul in Vegas, and they need to receive the proper amount of slack to figure it out - just like Poile and Barry Trotz did.
This Stanley Cup Final certainly hasn't lacked drama, and there's no shortage of compelling plot lines heading into Sunday's Game 6.
The Pittsburgh Penguins can repeat as champions with a victory, but the fans at Bridgestone Arena will be hell-bent on throwing the visitors off their game in the Nashville Predators' final home date of the season.
It's nail-biting time for supporters of the two clubs, but it's a win-win for hockey fans who don't have a horse in the race, as they'll either witness a back-to-back title victory or be gifted with a Game 7 in the Cup Final for the first time since 2011.
Here are three interesting storylines to ponder in Game 6:
Will Subban regret irking Crosby?
P.K. Subban has done his best to get under the skin of Sidney Crosby, but the Predators defenseman's efforts may continue to bring out the best in the Penguins' leader.
The Nashville blueliner would probably say he has no regrets about repeatedly egging on arguably the NHL's best player, but Crosby responded to their Game 3 confrontation with his only goal of the series in Game 4, so a similar on-ice answer could be coming on the heels of their Game 5 wrestling match.
The 'rookie' might do it again
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
The fact the NHL still considers Matt Murray a rookie is a bit ridiculous, but what he's doing at his age needs to be acknowledged.
He could hoist the Stanley Cup for the second time in as many seasons, and given that the Penguins goaltender turned 23 less than three weeks ago, that's pretty remarkable.
Murray has been much better at home this postseason, but earning a championship-clinching victory in hostile territory would help to quiet that narrative and make his early-career accomplishments even more impressive.
Malkin, Crosby can ascend to new heights
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
The legacies of Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be just fine regardless of the outcome of this game, thank you very much, but the two superstars can take their status as a dynamic duo to a new level with a win Sunday.
They'll have two cracks at it, but a victory in Game 6 would ensure them of membership in the rather exclusive club of legendary teammates who've won three championships together, joining the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay, and other greats including Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier.
Strong performances in Game 6 from the two stars would also further state their case to share the Conn Smythe Trophy for their contributions this spring.
They've carried a Penguins squad that was once again decimated by injuries, combining for 18 goals and 55 points in this playoff run.
No sensible person is questioning Crosby and Malkin's place in history, but another victory would put them in rarefied air.
June is an incredibly busy month for the NHL, but that doesn't mean we can't look ahead to what's coming. Free agency begins at 12 p.m. ET on July 1, and we're ranking the top 80 unrestricted free agents in a seven-post series ahead of the madness.
We're working our way from blue-collar players at the bottom to top-dollar names who headline the list. Here are the UFAs ranked 50-41:
50. Deryk Engelland (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 35 2016-17 Cap Hit: $2,916,667
Engelland played a career-high 18:20 minutes per game this season, but he probably shouldn't have. He took 85 penalty minutes, gave the puck away 49 times, and had an abysmal Corsi For percentage of 46.6. He's best suited to be a seventh defenseman, capable of stepping into the lineup and providing a physical presence.
49. David Desharnais (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 31 2016-17 Cap Hit: $3.5M
At 5-foot-7, 176 pounds, Desharnais is vastly undersized, but he doesn't make up for it with any speed or skill whatsoever. If he isn't winning faceoffs, he's quite a liability as a fourth-line center.
48. Johnny Oduya (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 36 2016-17 Cap Hit: $3.75M
Oduya's possession numbers have now been atrocious in back-to-back seasons. He's a fifth or sixth defenseman at best at this point in his career, but he has a winning pedigree as a two-time Stanley Cup champ and won't cost much.
47. Mark Streit (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 39 2016-17 Cap Hit: $5.25M
Streit is still capable of quarterbacking a power play, but that can be tough to do when you're not getting into the game much at five-on-five. Nonetheless, he is still a good enough skater and an above average puck-mover, so he will surely find a bottom pairing job. Yet, this team better have some insurance given his age.
46. Dwight King (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 28 2016-17 Cap Hit: $1.95M
King brings a rare combination of a winning pedigree (two Stanley Cups), great size (6-foot-4, 229 pounds), and relative youth (compared to most UFAs) to a bottom-six forward group. He's best-suited in a fourth-line role, but has scored 15 goals in the past and is capable of jumping up to the third line.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
45. Roman Polak (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 31 2016-17 Cap Hit: $2.25M
When Polak goes into a corner with an opposing forward, he has no regard for human life. He's as mean and physical as they come. If he's paired with an adequate puck-mover on the bottom pairing, he can be a very useful player. He's an excellent penalty-killer.
44. Brian Gionta (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 38 2016-17 Cap Hit: $4.25M
Gionta still managed to pot 15 goals last year, but he has registered horrendous possession numbers in four consecutive seasons. He's likely looking for his best chance to win another Cup at this stage of his career, but he'll have to accept a bottom-six role in order to make it happen. Retirement shouldn't be ruled out, either.
43. Chris Kunitz (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 38 2016-17 Cap Hit: $3.85M
It's hard to imagine Kunitz suiting up in anything other than Pittsburgh's black and gold at this point. If the Pens end up prevailing in the Stanley Cup Final, it's possible he could hang 'em up.
42. Tom Pyatt (F)
Age on Oct. 1: 30 2016-17 Cap Hit: 800K
Pyatt returned to the NHL this past season after a two-year hiatus in Switzerland. He served as a very valuable bottom-six forward for the Senators, recording 35 takeaways but only 20 giveaways, just 16 penalty minutes, and a plus-9 rating. He isn't a threat offensively, but he is a very good penalty-killer.
41. Dennis Wideman (D)
Age on Oct. 1: 34 2016-17 Cap Hit: $5.25M
Wideman is now most remembered for his incident with lineman Don Henderson, but many forget that he is just two seasons removed from scoring 15 goals and totaling 56 points. He hasn't come close to those totals in the past two seasons, but he's still capable of playing on a bottom pairing and anchoring a second power-play unit.
