Predators begin Stanley Cup playoff party as Rascal Flatts sings anthem

The Nashville Predators' Stanley Cup Playoff tradition continues.

Country-music band Rascal Flatts performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" before Game 1 of the Predators Western Conference First Round series against Colorado Avalanche, continuing the popular trend from last season's run to the Stanley Cup Final.
In 2017, Nashville created a hockey and cultural phenomenon by having a different country star sing the anthem for each of its 11 playoff games at Bridgestone Arena.
And, just as last year, there was a big pregame party.

The anthem capped an elaborate pregame introduction, which included a pregame hype video projected on a screen that dropped from the ceiling.
Rascal Flatts also wasn't the only country band at Bridgestone, as LoCash played the role of house band, performing at intermissions.

Rascal Flatts has sold more than 23 million albums and is the most awarded country group of the past decade.