Predators advance, ousting Red Wings 4-1 in series

April 21, 2012 RSS Feed Print

But the Predators withstood the early flurry and started going on the offense, and they finally went up 1-0 when Detroit defenseman Kyle Quincey misplayed the puck. Legwand grabbed it and fired a pass to Radulov in front, and he easily beat goalie Jimmy Howard with a wrister at 16:10.

In Nashville tradition, the first of at least a couple catfish was tossed on the ice in celebration with fans finally having a reason to cheer and release some of their pent-up emotions.

That seemed to fire the Predators up even more, and rookie Craig Smith, making his playoff debut, had two chances late in the period. His shot from in front went just right of the post, and he chased down the puck, skating around the net and throwing it back across the crease.

Zetterberg helped the Red Wings tie it up when he threw the puck toward the front of the net with Filppula getting an assist before Hudler poked the puck past Rinne's right skate at 13:45 of the second. The Predators killed off the rest of the period before getting a much-needed breather at the second intermission.

"It's disappointing," Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "Right now it's just empty I think. Everyone in here believed something completely different than what the outcome was."

Notes: Nashville ousted Anaheim in six games in the first round last season. ... Detroit beat Nashville in the opening round in both 2004 and 2008. ... The goal was Radulov's sixth in the postseason but his first of this series. He has five points in this postseason. Bourque, a rookie, now has four points in his first postseason series. ... Country singer Martina McBride joined the house band at the first intermission. ... The Predators outshot Detroit 10-8 in the first period, the first period they've done that in this series since the third period of Game 2. ... Lidstrom, Detroit's leader in postseason points and games played, did not notch a point in the series.