Nashville 3, Detroit 1
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Referees:
Kevin Pollock, Kelly Sutherland
Linesmen:
Scott Cherrey, Derek Amell
Attendance:
20066
By SportsDirect Inc.
PREDATORS 3, RED WINGS 1: Gabriel Bourque and defenseman Kevin Klein scored early third-period goals and Pekka Rinne once again stymied host Detroit to push the Red Wings to the brink of elimination in their Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Rinne turned aside 40 shots and David Legwand scored the clinching tally with 39 seconds to play as Nashville won its second straight game in Detroit to take a 3-1 series lead. The Predators can oust the Red Wings when the series shifts back to Nashville for Game 5 on Friday.
After two scoreless periods, the teams combined for three goals in the first 6 1/2 minutes of the third period. The game-winner was supplied by Klein, who had a goal and assist in the Predators' 3-2 victory in Game 3.
Jiri Hudler scored the lone goal for the Red Wings, who went 1-for-7 on the power play and lost back-to-back home games for the first time this season.
The Red Wings had the league's best home record (31-7-3) and were 6-0 all time at home in the playoffs against the Predators until dropping the last two games.
Nashville broke the scoreless deadlock just 27 seconds after having a goal by Legwand disallowed. Alexander Radulov threw a pass toward the net that caromed off a defender to a wide-open Bourque in the slot and he whipped a one-timer past goaltender Jimmy Howard at 1:55.
The Red Wings needed only 79 seconds to notch the equalizer while on the power play. Hudler, stationed in front of Rinne, deflected Niklas Kronwall's blast from the point that was reviewed after the puck ricocheted out from the net.
The Predators went back in front seconds after Henrik Zetterberg hit the post, taking advantage of a misplay by Howard for a 2-1 lead at 6:25.
Martin Erat took three defenders with him as he broke down left wing and his pass caromed to an onrushing Klein, who shoveled the puck into an open net at 6:25.
As usual, Rinne stood tall in the fence of intense Detroit pressure, particularly at the start of each of the first two periods.
The Red Wings had an 8-1 edge early in the first and peppered Rinne with the first seven shots of the second to finish with a 41-17 edge in shots.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Hudler notched his first point of the series and his 11th career playoff goal. ... Nashville Predators defenseman Hal Gill sat out his fourth straight game of the series, although he participated in the morning skate Tuesday. Gill has been sidelined since suffering a lower-body injury while blocking a shot against Dallas on April 5. ... Detroit has won its last three playoff series when trailing two games to one.
Top Game Performances
| Nashville |
|
Detroit |
|
Gabriel Bourque 1 |
Points |
Jiri Hudler 1 |
|
Gabriel Bourque 1 |
Goals |
Jiri Hudler 1 |
|
Martin Erat 1 |
Assists |
Niklas Kronwall 1 |
|
David Legwand 1 |
Power Play Goals |
Jiri Hudler 1 |
|
N/A |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
|
Pekka Rinne .976 |
Save Percentage |
Jimmy Howard .824 |
|
Pekka Rinne 40 |
Saves |
Jimmy Howard 14 |
Team Stats Summary
| Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
| Nashville
|
17 |
3 |
1-3 |
6-7 |
14 |
33 |
| Detroit
|
41 |
1 |
1-7 |
2-3 |
6 |
45 |
Upcoming Games
-
Detroit will play their next game on the road against Nashville. The Red Wings have a W/L % of .694 after a win and .424 after a loss.
-
Nashville will play their next game at home against Detroit. The Predators have a W/L % of .542 after a win and .647 after a loss.
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