The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Predators joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1998. In their inaugural season, the Predators reached the Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings in six games.

Nashville has qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs nine times, winning two Central Division titles. The Predators have won four playoff series, most recently defeating the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2015 Western Conference First Round. They play their home games at Bridgestone Arena.

The team’s name was inspired by the television series Nashville 99, which featured country music performers. The Predators were founded as an expansion franchise in 1998, and play in the Central Division of the Western Conference. The franchise is owned jointly by a group of local investors and predators Sports & Entertainment, the parent company of the Nashville Predators.

The team’s primary colors are navy blue, gold, and white. Their alternate jerseys feature a reverse color scheme. The Preds play their home games at Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.

From 2011 to 2013, prior to the adoption of gold as an accent color, the Predators used a unique color scheme of navy blue, hunter green, and metallic silver.

Nashville’s first NHL draft pick was David Legwand, who became the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. The team’s second pick in 1998 was Kimmo Timonen, who has since become one of the League’s top defensemen. The Predators have drafted a number of players who have gone on to have successful NHL careers, including goaltender Pekka Rinne and forwards Filip Forsberg, Craig Smith, and Colin Wilson.

Nashville’s AHL affiliate is the Milwaukee Admirals, who play in the Midwest Division of the Western Conference. The Admirals won the Calder Cup in 2004 and 2006. The ECHL affiliate of the Predators are the Cincinnati Cyclones, who play in the East Division of the Western Conference.