Don't plan Stanley Cup parade on Broadway quite yet

The Predators own the best record in the NHL, have been nearly unbeatable at Bridgestone Arena and have a season-high seven-point lead over second-place St. Louis in the Central Division.

Is it time to start planning a Stanley Cup victory parade down Broadway?

Um, no.

Coach Peter Laviolette, general manager David Poile and the Predators players will tell you there is plenty of work to be done — there are still 20 games remaining in the 82-game regular season.

The exceptional season has some fans looking ahead to the playoffs. If you're one of those fans, read the following with extreme caution:

No. 1 doesn't mean title town

In the past 10 seasons, the team with the best regular-season record has won the Stanley Cup just twice. The Chicago Blackhawks won in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, and the Detroit Red Wings won in the 2007-08 season.

The Los Angeles Kings have won two of the last three Cups. They were the Western Conference's sixth seed in the 2013-14 season and the eighth seed in the 2011-12 season. If the playoffs began today, the Predators' first-round opponent could be ... (drum roll) ... the Kings.

Improve power play

The Predators have scored on 17.1 percent of their power-play opportunities. That ranks 23rd in the NHL and 10th in the Western Conference. Minnesota (15.7 percent, 26th) is the only probable Western Conference playoff team with a lower percentage. That statistic must improve if this team is to go deep into the playoffs.

The Predators scored on one of 12 of their power-play opportunities during a recent three-game road trip. It was a huge one as Mike Ribeiro's short-handed goal with 4:17 left against Buffalo enabled the Predators to get to overtime. In their two home games this week, they are 0-for-4. If you want to be optimistic, Montreal ranks 24th and the Canadiens have the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Improve penalty kill

The Predators have an 82.2 percent rate of killing power plays. That number ranks 13th in the league and fifth in the Western Conference. That number is good, but not as strong as you'd expect from one of the league's elite defenses. The addition of Cody Franson can only help.

Finish strong

The Preds have a balanced schedule over their final six weeks: 10 home games, 10 road games. After Saturday's February finale, the Preds play 15 games in March, beginning with back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday against the Rangers and Devils. If the Predators are still in first place on April 1, then history indicates a positive regular-season finish.

In the seven seasons that the Predators advanced to the playoffs, the team has never had a losing record in April regular-season games. The team was 21-8 in those games. The Predators have 20 games remaining, beginning with Saturday's game against Detroit. The schedule concludes with four games in April. A strong finish and a winning momentum could be key heading into the playoffs.

Forget the past

Laviolette has definitely infused a different attitude into the team during the regular season. It will need to continue in the postseason. Under Barry Trotz, the Predators were 19-31 and won lost seven of nine postseason series, never advancing past the Western Conference semifinals. They are 12-14 all time in home playoff games at Bridgestone.

Laviolette has a 43-39 coaching record in the playoffs, including the 16-9 mark in 2006 when he led the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup title.

Reach Dave Ammenheuser at 615-259-8352 and on Twitter @NashSportsEd.

A look at the last 10 NHL regular-season champions and the Stanley Cup champions:

Season NHL, champ Cup, champ (postseason seed)

2013-14, Boston, Los Angeles (6th seed in West)

2012-13, Chicago, Chicago

2011-12, Vancouver, Los Angeles (8th seed in West)

2010-11, Vancouver, Boston (4th seed in East)

2009-10, Washington, Chicago (2nd seed in West)

2008-09, San Jose, Pittsburgh (4th seed in East)

2007-08, Detroit, Detroit

2006-07, Buffalo, Anaheim (2nd seed in West)

2005-06, Detroit, Carolina (2nd seed in East)

2003-04, Detroit, Tampa (1st seed in East)

Note: Lockout shortened 2012-13 season; No season in 2004-05.