di Davide Vidoroni
Stavolta i Predators vogliono finire il lavoro. Il ruolo di favorita non spaventa Nashville e l’aver concluso la stagione regolare al primo posto ha consolidato la consapevolezza di essere materiale da titolo. Ad un anno di distanza dalla finale persa contro Pittsburgh, la compagine di Josi, Fiala e Weber sembra aver varcato il confine che separa una squadra forte da una vincente. Primo esame i Colorado Avalanche di Andrighetto, ultimi sulla griglia di partenza come Nashville lo scorso anno…
Ma l’avversario più temibile della Western Conference si chiama Winnipeg. I 44 gol realizzati da Laine hanno acceso le speranze canadesi di interrompere un digiuno lungo 25 anni e il primo test contro Niederreiter e Minnesota ci dirà se i Jets fanno sul serio. Il tabellone ad ovest è completato da due sfide tutte da gustare: la battaglia californiana tra Anaheim e l’eterna incompiuta San Jose (con Meier) e lo storico debutto di Vegas e Sbisa contro Los Angeles.
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