from Paul Friesen of the Winnipeg Sun,

The pressure on the Predators is enormous.

This was a team that went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final a year ago.

Expectations are heavier than a Nashville hangover.

“All of that is probably just a little bit of noise that we just need to forget about,” Preds coach Peter Laviolette said. “Focus on the game and guys getting ready to play their best… that’s ultimately what it’s going to come down to. We’ve got to make sure our guys are in the right frame of mind.”

That frame of mind includes the realization of what it’s going to take to beat a Jets team that’s loaded – and healthier than it’s been in months.

“Near perfect is pretty much what it’s going to take,” defenceman Ryan Ellis said. “The whole year comes down to the next game, and then the next one after that. It’s going to take everyone.’’

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