The horn sounded, and the Predators streamed toward goaltender Pekka Rinne, congratulating one another before lining up to shake hands with their Colorado Avalanche counterparts.
This was supposed to happen. The Predators were expected to eliminate the Avalanche in their first-round series, which they did Sunday with a 5-0 win that sets up a showdown with the Winnipeg Jets.
The Predators didn’t dominate across six games, though. The plucky Avalanche, who deserve praise for making this series competitive, gave them all they could handle.
But when it mattered Sunday, the Predators delivered.
"We knew that they were a good team, and I think we gave them the respect that they deserved," Predators defenseman P.K. Subban said. "I don't think there was ever a moment where we didn't respect them, and that's why we came out on top. I think if we would have ever taken them lightly, then maybe we'd be playing another game. ... We're just very happy to be moving on now."
Sunday's victory was a prime display of Predators hockey — unrelenting on offense and stubborn on defense.
The Predators' depth shined, particularly the forward combination of Colton Sissons, Nick Bonino and Austin Watson. They factored into three of the Predators' five goals, with Bonino chipping in three points of his own.
Throughout this series, the Avalanche’s blazing speed and ability to generate scoring chances off the rush caused the Predators trouble. On Sunday, the Predators pushed the Avalanche's attack to above the circles. Rinne gobbled up everything that reached him, recording a 22-save shutout.
"When you're playing (a) full 60 (minutes) in the playoffs with as good a team as we have, usually there will be success," Bonino said.
Overall, the Predators were good enough to outlast the Avalanche, Sunday's performance aside. A similar effort in the second round probably won’t produce a satisfying outcome.
The Jets thrashed the Minnesota Wild in their five-game victory, looking the part of a Stanley Cup favorite. Winnipeg is as complete a team as Nashville, if not better in some areas.
If the Predators’ series against the Jets is reminiscent of their regular-season meetings, then expect a considerable amount of animosity and offense. The teams combined for 41 non-shootout goals in five games.
"They play fast, man," Sissons said of the Avalanche. "And the Jets play the same way, maybe a little bit more physical and heavy. The way that Colorado works and battles and plays the game fast, it definitely challenged us, as you saw. It was a good experience for us going forward."
Reach Adam Vingan at avingan@tennessean.com and on Twitter @AdamVingan.