Newcomers help Predators get back to 'Smashville' hockey

The Nashville Predators had a "Cinderella"-style playoff run that took them to their first Stanley Cup Final. Then, at the start of the 2017-18 campaign, they entered with a thud. The offseason acquisitions were injured, the special teams were nonexistent and the defense — which has been their bread and butter for seasons now — was nowhere to be found.

Fast-forward to December, and the Preds have done almost a complete 180. Their offense is on full display, and fewer pucks are finding the back of their own net. Heck, the power play is one of the best in the league. Sure, the St. Louis Blues are running the Central Division, but Nashville is right on their heels.

Is last season's Western Conference semis series revving up to do the whole thing all over again?

The Predators' roster depth has really come into play over this last stretch of games headed into the new year. Even with star center Ryan Johansen sidelined, the rest of the team has contributed.

"It's good to know that if your No. 1 goes out that it's not panic mode," defenseman Yannick Weber told Adam Vingan of the Tennessean.

Of course, it was this same kind of depth contribution that propelled the Preds through postseason hockey and put Smashville on the map last season.

It doesn't hurt that the newest roster members are chipping in as well. After spending the earlier part of the season on IR, forward Nick Bonino started pitching in. Then there's Kyle Turris, who was at the center of a recent trade, registering 13 points in 14 games since going to Nashville. Turris has been so impressive that taking a puck to the face didn't even slow him down. 

If his success isn't making the Ottawa Senators kick themselves so trading him, nothing will.

Looking ahead, the Predators appear to have a chance to catch and perhaps surpass the only team ahead of them in the Central Division. Outside of a tilt with the aforementioned conference-leading Blues on Dec. 27, Nashville doesn't have a whole lot of steep competition. The Preds take on the struggling teams up in Canada, a disappointing Minnesota Wild squad and few top teams. However, all games are worth watching, given that Nashville is playing some of the most entertaining hockey in the league right now.

The defense is back among the elite, while 11 Predators have double-digit points on the season.

It's just a wonder now if this is the prelude to another depth-propelled Stanley Cup run.