This is heady stuff for the Predators, but, instead of being paralyzed by the tightrope to be navigated down the stretch, Timonen is both energized and excited about what the future holds. As the team's best defenseman -- one who logs almost 24 minutes per contest -- Timonen knows he will have a direct effect on whether or not the Music City enjoys the magic of postseason hockey for the first time.
It is a responsibility, much like the responsibility of shutting down opposing forwards, that Timonen embraces.
"We're still trying to make the playoffs and we are right there right now," said Timonen. "From here on out, every game is going to be big for us. We have to bear down and try to get as many points as we can."
While any playoff run is intoxicating, this season's experience in Nashville is extra special because of the dues most players have paid with the franchise.
Six players remain from that inaugural season, a campaign that featured just 28 wins and a franchise-low 63 points. Timonen is joined by Scott Walker, David Legwand, Greg Johnson and goalies Tomas Vokoun and Chris Mason in that elite club of players involved in the growing-up process from Day 1.
Another eight players who have suited up for Nashville this season grew up in the team's development system. They, too, have been waiting for Nashville to finally find regular-season success.
Now that success has arrived, there is a palpable level of excitement each day in the Predators' dressing room, says Timonen. The players, it seems, realize this is a time to savor and -- despite the pressure of increased expectations -- that is exactly what each is doing.
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"From here on out, every game is going to be big for us. We have to bear down and try to get as many points as we can." - Kimmo Timonen
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"I think it is simple why we are in the position we're in," said Timonen. "We have a lot of guys that have stayed together and have grown up in the same system. We've always played that system and now guys are getting comfortable with it and it is really showing."
Timonen may be the poster boy for the progression of which he speaks. Considered excess to needs in Los Angeles, Timonen and Jan Vopat were swapped to the Predators for future considerations. Despite questions about his size, a modest 5-foot-10, and physical presence, Timonen played less than 30 games at the minor-league level before joining the Predators full-time.
Then, within two years, he was the team's best defenseman, quarterbacking the power-play, providing much-needed offense from the point and taking quality shifts against the top lines of opposing teams.
This year, Timonen played in the NHL All-Star Game, joining Vokoun as Nashville's two representatives to the Western Conference squad. This season, he already has 12 goals and 31 assists for a career-high 43 points in 74 games. Eight of his dozen goals have come on the power-play unit, which has been key to Nashville's offensive success for long stretches this season.
Nashville coach Barry Trotz has watched the progression of both Timonen and the Predators from the beginning. He remains amazed at the skill level Timonen brings to the table on a nightly basis.
"Kimmo is such a smart defenseman and he controls the whole pace and tempo of the game," Trotz told reporters earlier this season. "He's a true pro. That's plain and simple. He's the leader on defense."
For his part, the soft-spoken Timonen takes his leadership role seriously, letting his on-ice actions speak to his determination and drive to make the Predators' this year's League success story. By shutting down opposing forwards, as well as an occasional offensive contribution, Timonen knows he is doing his part to extend Nashville's exciting stretch run.
"Every game now you play against top forwards from the other team and that's a tough job," says Timonen. "Going in, you pretty much know what there assets are and what they are going to try to accomplish. You just have to do your best to take away those things and, hopefully, keep them off the scoreboard."
