Admirals add NHL experience for playoff push

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Admirals are stacked for a Calder Cup run.

For the first time in nearly a decade, the Nashville Predators did not make the playoffs. So, in the final week of the season, they sent nine NHL-caliber players to Milwaukee for playoff experience.

"We have a lot of guys back that were here throughout the course of the year. It's a lot of fun, we know we can do well if we play together," said Tomasino.

"I think our depth is our biggest strength. Every game really mattered (in Nashville) so I think playing in those high-pressure situations will help us in this deep playoff run where the games are always high pressure," said Evangelista.

Zach Sanford knows all about playoff pressure. He scored in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals a few years ago to help the Blues win the Cup for the first time in franchise history.

"It's a lot of ups and downs. The more you can stay even-keeled the better off you are. You can never get too high or too low. Focusing on what is next is the most important thing," said Sanford.

"He's won a Stanley Cup. He was a big part of that team, so he just knows what it takes to win. Seeing the emotion and passion he's playing with has been awesome to watch," said Evangelista.

In a best of five series, I could tell you how crucial a fast start is, but coach Karl Taylor takes a different approach.

"Well if you win it, it's really important, and if we lose, we'll say it doesn't matter," said Taylor.

The series starts with Game 1 tomorrow at home.