The Nashville Predators tallied 53 wins and 117 points to close out last season. Their strong season won the Predators a President Trophy but unfortunately were unable to walk away with the Stanley Cup.
Still, Western Conference champs (of the regular season) isn’t so bad, right?
The Preds’ hot season came to a screeching halt when they were dumped by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of the playoffs. It was a grueling seven-game series, but the Preds were unable to win the Western Conference (of the playoffs).
So, how did the Predators commemorate their season in which they won the Western Conference of the regular season? Well, they raised a banner of course!
The Nashville Predators Just Raised A "Regular Season Western Conference Champions" Banner https://t.co/F5m4mppk2g pic.twitter.com/nhkj5lzD18
— Mike Grinnell (@MikeGrinnell_) October 10, 2018
The team raised three banners during their home opener, with the outcast being the regular season western champions. High above the ice at Bridgestone Arena, “Regular Season Western Conference Champions 2017-2018” will hang in all its glory.
Teams regularly raise banners to showcase their franchise winning the Cup, the Conference (of the playoffs) or the Division, but raising a banner for winning the conference of the regular season is just adding a banner to the rafter for the sake of it.
What makes it even sadder is the fact that Predators had the most points in the league, so the Presidents’ Trophy banner would suffice.
Yeah this Predators banner is dumb as hell but it’s also hilarious considering it doesn’t even give them enough credit. They won the regular season in both conferences pic.twitter.com/aqYRq5kcNl
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) October 10, 2018
Of course, social media had an absolute field day with this one. The Preds became the laughing stock of the league.
When every job wants 5+ years experience so you stretch your accomplishments on your resume. pic.twitter.com/Wfa1TseblN
— Sarah Jenkins (@sarahjenkinsxo) October 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/CECsec214/status/1049848642541146112
"Predators raise three banners to celebrate their historic regular season." pic.twitter.com/AsG5x0O2F1
— Greg Boysen (@GregBoysen) October 10, 2018
That’s like my high school football team putting 3x state quarterfinalists on their shirts. Ain’t nobody remember the losers
— Holden Martin (@H_Martin23) October 10, 2018
Nashville, which lost in the second round to Winnipeg, had a bigger banner celebration than Vegas did after winning the Pacific Division and the Western Conference as an expansion team. "Regular Season Western Conference Champions"? Is that even a thing? pic.twitter.com/w6UcjbRmqV
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) October 10, 2018
“REGULAR SEASON WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS”
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God bless the Preds. Bless their hearts. Cutest little team in the league https://t.co/Yfq7vMDDxj
— Chief (@BarstoolChief) October 10, 2018
https://twitter.com/RDecobellis77/status/1049869338088538112
And, in case you are in the Nashville area and want a replica of the banner, the Preds are giving them away at the dates below:
Replica banner giveaway schedule:
Opening Night – Presidents' Trophy
Thursday vs. WPG – Central Division
Saturday vs. NYI – Western Conference— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) October 8, 2018