The idea of hockey in Nashville first got wide attention in 1995 when the New Jersey Devils were threatening to move to Music City, while trying to get renovations to their arena in the Meadowlands. However, after the Devils won the Stanley Cup that season it was clear the state of New Jersey was going to keep their team.

However, the NHL would be coming to Nashville as they city was awarded an expansion team, as the NHL began a four-team expansion in three seasons in 1998. The team, which would be called Predators, played their first game on October 10th, losing to the Florida Panthers 1-0 before a sold-out crowd of 17,298 at the Nashville Arena.

The Preds would get their first win 3 days later as they beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2, with Andre Brunette northing the first goal in Predators history. The Predators would go on to complete their first season by finishing in last place in the Central Division with a record of 28-47-7.