from Pierre LeBrun of ESPN,

Just around the time the first period in Nashville concluded Saturday night with the Predators launching a franchise-record 27 shots at the Columbus Blue Jackets, one had to ask himself: How many teams are playing better hockey than the Nashville Predators right now?

Shhhhh, the Preds don't want anyone to know, but they're 19-5-5 since Jan. 21 and 12-2-2 since Feb. 22, absolutely sizzling in their team game as the playoffs approach.

"We tried to keep it a secret as long as we could, but I guess it's got to come out at some point," chuckled Predators captain Shea Weber on Monday morning when I suggested they were flying under the radar.

Seriously though, after an opening half to the season that was marred by inconsistency and left many wondering if the Preds would even make the playoffs, they've steadied the ship and then some.

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