Marathon runners often describe the 26.2-mile race as a "20-mile warmup for a 10k race." The idea is for the athlete to not peak early during the run and blowout (or "bonk" as they say) before the race is over. To do this, the runner must prepare accordingly and leave fuel in the tank for the final portion of the journey, when the best will separate from the pack. In many ways this hockey season feels like that for the Nashville Predators.