VANCOUVER — As Filip Forsberg prepares to lead the Nashville Predators into their first-round NHL playoff opener against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday, he's looking to build upon the best season of his career.

He not only broke the franchise record for goals in a single season (43) on April 12, he finished with 48 in the regular season — a stunning number, particularly for those who remember the early days of Predators hockey.

His play has cemented his reputation as the team's most dangerous offensive weapon, and his presence on the ice will give the Predators a chance in their best-of-seven series against the Canucks.

But as anyone would understand, Forsberg does have something else on his mind.

He's about to become a father.

Filip Forsberg balancing NHL playoffs, impending fatherhood

He and his wife, Erin Alvey, announced in January they are expecting a baby boy in May, delivering the news via mustachioed ultrasound photo on Instagram.

With May fast approaching, how does Forsberg feel about the stress of becoming a father on top of the stress that comes with playoff hockey?

"It's not too bad yet," Forsberg told the Tennessean on Saturday. "We are still a month away from the due date. But you never know, it can happen at any moment."

The due date for baby Forsberg is toward the end of May, so there's no reason to expect it will interfere with this series against the Canucks. But if the Predators were to move on to the second round — or further — there could be chaotic days ahead for the Forsberg-Alvey household.

"The longer we hopefully play, the more stressed it's going to be," he said. "We will see what happens."

Forsberg said they have "plans in place" for mobilization when the baby does arrive. Being there for the birth of a child is obviously the priority — he just hopes it doesn't interfere with hockey too much.

"(Plans) probably all go out the door when it's actually happening, anyway, so you have to be prepared," he said.

By the way, the mom-to-be has been busy as well. Alvey is a country music singer and recently released "Believe" on Spotify.

With the Predators looking to win their first playoff series since 2018, Forsberg knows what's at stake. Nashville wants to prove it's playoff-worthy, and he is a crucial part of that.

He's focused on hockey at the moment. He knows he has a job to do on the ice, creating chances, scoring goals and winning.

Soon he will have plenty of jobs off the ice as well.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg juggling NHL playoffs, baby on the way