Predators Players, Brunette Preview First Round vs. Canucks: 'It's Going to be a Battle'

Nearly a week after playing their final game of the regular season, the Nashville Predators will finally get a taste of playoff hockey Sunday against the Vancouver Canucks .

"It was a little bit of a bizarre week for us because we didn't know when we were playing or who were playing," head coach Andrew Brunette said. "The whole league was playing and we were kind of waiting around. So, I think we're chomping at the bit."

When the Predators and Canucks meet for Game 1 of their best-of-seven series on Sunday at Rogers Arena, each team will be looking to win a playoff round for the first time in several years. The Canucks beat the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2020 playoffs, but lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round. The Predators last won a series in 2018, beating the Colorado Avalanche in the first round but losing to the Winnipeg Jets in the following round.

"It's such a privilege to be able to play in the playoffs," Predators captain Roman Josi said. "It's never easy to make the playoffs. We don't take it for granted. We're very grateful that we're able to be here and compete again."

The Predators will be underdogs against the Canucks, the Pacific Division champions who swept Nashville in the regular season.

"They're a great team," Josi said of the Canucks. "Obviously, they won the Division and had an amazing year. [They have] a lot of skill, a great goaltender, a good D-corps. They're just a really, really complete team, and they play a fast game and obviously had a great season, so it's going to be really hard."

The Canucks (50-22-9, 109 points) won all three games against the Predators (47-30-5, 99 points) in the regular season, including two on the road in Nashville. Vancouver outscored Nashville 13-6 in those three games.

"Obviously, the numbers speak for themselves," Brunette said. "The way they forecheck and the way they defend, they're a lot to handle and it's going to really test every facet of our game."

Related: Predators Must Overcome Huge Obstacle in Round 1 vs Canucks

In terms of style of play, the Nashville and Vancouver match up quite well. Both are highly physical, offensive-minded teams who prioritize taking away space and advancing the puck. According to NHL EDGE , both teams finished the regular season in the top-five in offensive zone time; the Predators ranked fourth in the league at 43.7%, while the Canucks were close behind at 43%.

"We want the puck, and so do they," Brunette said. "So, it's going to be a battle for the puck... We just want to have the puck more than they do, and I'm sure that they think the same thing. When you have it more, usually you're you're playing offensive hockey. When you don't, usually defending. So, we like playing with the puck; nobody likes playing without it."

Despite the regular-season results, there is reason to believe that this is going to be a highly competitive playoff series. Since Feb. 17, Nashville has outscored their opponents 106-71 – the second-highest differential in the NHL – scored the second-most goals per game (3.79) and allowed the fifth-fewest (2.54). Still, the Predators are aware that the Stanley Cup Playoffs are a different animal.

Related: Predators Have 'Something to Prove' vs. Canucks in First Round of Stanley Cup Playoffs

"I think the start's important," Josi said. "It's going to be loud. I think every time, in the first playoff game, the first 10 minutes are always kind of almost the most intense minutes in the . Both teams are well rested, so it's going to be going to be intense and you're going goto get off to a good start."

The puck drops between the Predators and Canucks at Rogers Arena Sunday at 9 p.m. CT.

"At the end of the day, it's hockey," said Predators forward Ryan O'Reilly , who captained the Blues to a Stanley Cup championship in 2019. "It comes down to winning our battles and preparing and doing things at the right time. It is nice having so many guys here that have been a part of runs that have [won Stanley Cups]... Going into this, we know it's going to be a tough challenge for us. But it's exciting."