Blake Geoffrion, left, and Matt Halischuk, arrived in the second half of the season to provide Nashville with key contributions. ((John Ulan/Canadian Press))
The talented young players on the Nashville Predators over the next two weeks may finally lead the franchise to its first ever playoff series victory after 12 seasons of play.
And who knows, maybe the likes of Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Pekka Rinne will chip in a bit, too.
All kidding aside, while there's no doubt the performance of those three elite players will most determine Nashville's course in the postseason, it's also true that they could now be considered some of the elder statesmen on the team despite averaging just under 27 years of age.
That's because as some 30-something Predators have receded from view, another big wave of talent from the Nashville's reputed prospect pipeline have made key contributions this season.
Perhaps it will also prove the ideal mix to make history for the Predators.
"Our guys know that every game is critical and it's been critical since the all-star break," said assistant GM Paul Fenton. "This has been a playoff run since then. They've been able to apply it and play as a group for each other."
On the subject of youth, forwards Colin Wilson and Nick Spaling have been regular contributors since October after each playing over 30 games in 2009-10.
But what's most fascinating about Nashville's playoff push is, as the games have become more important, the team has gotten even younger. None of defenceman Jonathon Blum or forwards Blake Geoffrion and Matt Halischuk were with the Predators as of early January, but each was recalled from Milwaukee of the American Hockey League to make key contributions in the final weeks of the season.
Geoffrion netted a hat trick in a March 20 win over Buffalo, Halischuk scored the game winner in the game that clinched a playoff berth, and all Blum has done is logged huge minutes on the blue-line to make dependable veteran Francis Bouillon a reserve.
Each of the late-arriving trio is under 23 years of age.
While the late manner of their integration into the lineup might not be typical, don't use the word surprise around Fenton, the man responsible for overseeing the team's drafts for nearly a decade.
Fenton takes justifiable pride in the fact that Nashville didn't have to bottom out in the NHL standings to find itself teeming with young potential either at their Milwaukee affiliate in the American Hockey League or in the junior ranks. The Predators have made the playoffs now in six of the last seven seasons.
"We've been consistently a very good team for awhile here and our scouts are doing a terrific job to be able to continue to stock the cupboard," said Fenton.
It's not a shock that any of Wilson, Spaling, Blum, Geoffrion or Halischuk have landed in the NHL. Each played at the world junior championships for their country expect for Spaling, and he might have made Canada's 2008 team if not for the fact he was sent home from training camp due to illness.
The changing of the guard arguably began last June when the Predators traded veteran centre Jason Arnott to New Jersey for Halischuk, who played on a Kitchener Rangers line with Spaling.
"Every time I saw Nick Spaling and [Halischuk] play together, I could envision these two being just tenacious two-way players as NHL guys," Fenton said.
Some of the opportunities for the newest Predators came about not by design because of injuries to veterans Steve Sullivan, Matthew Lombardi and Bouillon. Longtime Predators forward J.P. Dumont, stayed healthy, but has seen his role reduced greatly, providing another opening.
Geoffrion, the scion of Howie Morenz, was named the top college hockey player in the U.S. last season but struggled in his first few months as a pro.
"Sometimes it's a different atmosphere than it is in college and the [AHL] coaches in did a terrific job in gettig him ready to play here," said Fenton.
Geoffrion found his groove and was named the AHL's top player in consecutive weeks to inspire the promotion. He is the first ever fourth generation NHLer, following in the footsteps of Morenz, Hall of Fame grandfather Bernie, and father Danny.
Few fans of the Western Hockey League would be surprised to learn that Blum, a Memorial Cup winner with the Vancouver Giants, has been a quick study.
"He's one of the smartest players we have in the organization and he's showing what he's capable of doing," said Fenton.
Youth aside, the Predators have several other things going for them heading into the playoffs.
The defence corps of Norris Trophy Weber, Suter, Cody Franson and Kevin Klein have helped the team rank third in goals against and fifth on the penalty kill.
They were tied with Vancouver for best conference home record in terms of regulation losses, with just nine in 41 games this season.
Nashville also possesses the type of rambunctious yet talented player that could conceivably wreak havoc in the playoffs as Dustin Byfuglien and Erik Cole have in the past.
Jordin Tootoo voluntarily entered the league's substance abuse program this season, but came back and finished with four goals and three assists in his last eight games. Nearly as importantly, he incurred just two penalty minutes during that span.
"Sometimes having your eyes opened is the right remedy." said Fenton. "For him he’s come back with the passion and the fire that we all love here."
Last but definitely not least is Rinne.
The Finn ranks in the top 5 in goals-against average, save percentage, shutouts and winning percentage. He can go head-to-head in accomplishments this season with Tim Thomas (Boston), Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers) and Carey Price (Montreal), but they play in big markets and get more press.
"I think we’ve had one game this year on national television," said Fenton. "So for the general hockey fan, unless you’re getting [the] centre ice [cable package] like all of us do, it’s probably hard to see him."
Will it all be enough for a deep run, let alone a series win? The Predators are historically just 8-20 in losing all five playoff rounds they've contested, and in their last two trips have been eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion.
Young players can be fearless and bold. The Predators had the fourth best record when trailing after one period, and the best such ledger when down after 40 minutes.
Nashville begins to answer the question of readiness later this week in Anaheim.