The Nashville Predators were one of the biggest positive surprises last season when they made it to the post-season after missing the playoffs in each of the previous two years. They were eliminated by the to be Stanley Cup champions Chicago, but I think Peter Laviolette's team will be a playoff contender this season as well and a win against the Carolina Hurricanes would be a good way to start the new season.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pekka Rinne - The 32 year old Fin was 41-17 with a 2.18 GAA over 64 starts last season and made 23 saves in a 3-2 home win over the Hurricanes on Jan. 6 in the lone meeting at Bridgestone Arena on the season. He's 4-1-0 with a 1.78 GAA in five career starts versus Carolina.

2. Home Cookin' - The Predators have a 8-2 record over 10 all-time match-ups at Nashville and were 28-9-4 overall at home last season. Carolina meanwhile was a pathetic 12-25-4 on the road.

3. X-Factor - Filip Forsberg led the Predators with 26 goals and a total of 63 points last season setting franchise rookie records for both. He proved that he's got what it takes in the big games as well when notching four goals and six points over the six games against the Blackhawks in the playoffs.

Selection: This is a play on the Nashville Predators (6*)