The Nashville Predators have reached new heights.
While the club still needs two more wins to secure a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, much of the hockey world has become enamored with the Preds during their first-ever run beyond the second round of the playoffs.
It's tough not to be aboard the Nashville bandwagon, but if you aren't, here are three reasons why the Predators' run - no matter where it ends up - has been terrific for the sport.
1. Smashville
Before Tuesday night, Nashville had never hosted a conference final game, and boy, were they ready.
Whether it was the flight of a giant catfish, numerous deafening chants, or the local football team chugging beers to ramp up the crowd, one thing has been clear: Nashville loves its Predators.
The mustard-toned raucous crowd has been non-stop, and it gives their players the boost required to gain an edge in the playoffs - it's no coincidence that Nashville has won 10 consecutive home games in the postseason.
Roman Josi asked to describe playing in Nashville: "I can't. I really can't. It's tough to put into words... Our fans are amazing." #Preds
— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) May 17, 2017
2. Underdogs
It's tough to recall now, but the Predators finished the regular season as the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
Hardly anyone gave them a chance to get past the Chicago Blackhawks, yet they blew them out of the water. The Preds were noticeably better than the Blues in Round 2, and now three games into the Western Conference Final, Nashville has been dominant once more.
After the P.K. Subban trade, expectations were sky high in Music City, and while it took longer than anticipated for the Predators to reach their peak, they're here now, and the underdog tag could soon be a notion of the past.
3. Much-deserved exposure
Subban has been the focus for much of the season, but if anything, this playoff run has showcased the depth and strength of the overall roster that general manager David Poile constructed.
Whether it's the coming-out party of Ryan Ellis, the stabilizing force of Mattias Ekholm on the blue line, or the national exposure of 30-goal scorer Viktor Arvidsson on Nashville's top unit, this club is rock solid from top to bottom.
Formerly just a middling franchise in a mediocre market, the Predators have exploded on the strength of an incredibly likable team, and the hockey community has rightfully taken notice.
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