Western Conference Quarterfinals: Game Five

Photo: Detroit News

Nashville Predators defeat Detroit Red Wings 2-1

The Western Conference Quarterfinals series between the Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators was over before the start of the second period.

Keeping with the common theme in this series, the team that scored first never trailed and came out victorious. And it wasn’t the Wings who played their worst hockey of the postseason in a 2-1 loss to the Predators that ousted them from the playoffs.

The elimination marks their earliest since a first round exit in 2006 at the hands of the No. 8-seeded Edmonton Oilers.

For the past three seasons, the Wings haven’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs.

“To me that doesn’t look like you’re going in the right direction,” said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. “We’ll have a lot of time to figure it out.”

Babcock thought his team played well in the series up until Game 5, which he called their worst.

“When you lose 4-1 in a series, you can talk about all of the games being a one-goal game,” he said. “To me that’s not close, 4-1 is not close.”

Jiri Hudler scored the lone goal for Detroit. The Wings scored nine goals in the five-game series.

“We created chances but we couldn’t find a way to score,” said Henrik Zetterberg. “When we made mistakes, they ended up in our net.

“We didn’t score like we normally do.”

After the Predators took an early 1-0 lead in the first period, Hudler tied it at 1-1 in the second giving new life to Detroit. But just 0:13 into the third period, David Legwand scored what would be the game-winning goal.

The Wings are the first team to make an exit from the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs. They’re also a team that most thought wouldn’t be the first to go.

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

There’s always a next year for the Red Wings, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less.

***

GAME BROWSER: DET 1, NSH 2

Most Valuable Wing: Jiri Hudler scored the Red Wings’ only goal in their final game of the season.

Three Stars: 1. David Legwand (NSH), 2. Alexander Radulov (NSH), 3. Pekka Rinne (NSH)

DET: J. Hudler (13:45 – 2nd)

NSH: A. Radulov (16:10 – 1st), D. Legwand (00:13 – 3rd)

Goalies

DET: J. Howard (L)

NSH:  P. Rinne (W)

Key Stat: 1 –Victory for the Red Wings in this series.

Next Up: A long offseason with many questions left to be answered. Who stays? Who goes? Will a certain captain retire?

Photo: Detroit News

Down 3-1 in the Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. the Nashville Predators, the Detroit Red Wings aren’t lacking belief that they can pull off the ultimate comeback and win the next three games.

“We’ve got a lot of believe in here,” forward Henrik Zetterberg said after Thursday’s practice session at Joe Louis Arena. “We’re a good team. We just have to keep playing like we did last game and eventually we’re going to score. You can’t let it get to you.”

The Wings faced a similar situation last season in a Western Conference Semifinals series against the San Jose Sharks. Detroit trailed 0-3 before battling back and winning three straight to force a Game 7 before losing in heartbreaking fashion.

“It’s not fun being down; it would be better to be up (in the series),” forward Valtteri Filppula said Thursday. “But last year we fought back. It wasn’t enough (to win), but hopefully this year it’ll be different.”

What gives the Wings confidence they can pull it off? Experience in the postseason.

“We have a lot of players who’ve played a lot of playoff games and hopefully that’ll help,” Filppula said.

It’s win or go home. Simple as that.

Western Conference Quarterfinals

GAME FIVE

DETROIT (1-3) at NASHVILLE (3-1)

Friday, April 20, 8 p.m.

Bridgestone Arena, Nashville

TV: CBC, CNBC, RDS2, FS-D(HD)

Radio: 97.1

Quarterfinals Series

Nashville: 3-1

Injury Report

DET: Patrick Eaves (concussion/injured reserve), Joey MacDonald (back) and Darren Helm (wrist surgery) are out.

NSH: Defenseman Hal Gill (lower body/foot) is still day-to-day for the Predators.

Stats

Western Conference Quarterfinals: Game Four

Photo: Detroit News

Nashville Predators defeat Detroit Red Wings 3-1

In what has been a physical Western Conference Quarterfinals series between the Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators, the first team to score in each game has come out victorious.

That trend continued Tuesday in Game 4 at Joe Louis Arena.

After two scoreless periods of play, the Nashville Predators capitalized with three third period goals to top the Wings at home for the second consecutive game at Joe Louis Arena and take a 3-1 series lead.

Detroit faces elimination on Friday in Game 5 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

“Now we’re in a tough situation,” said Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom. “We’ve got to go down to Nashville and win one game.”

Jiri Hudler scored the lone goal for the Wings on the power play after the Predators took a 1-0 lead in the third period.

The play that killed the Wings came right after Hudler nearly gave Detroit the lead with a shot that hit the post. Nashville’s Martin Erat skated up the middle of the ice and blew past the Wings’ defense, attracting three Detroit players, as well as Jimmy Howard, to the left and passed the puck off to an open Kevin Klein who scored on an easy empty net.

“We had enough people back,” said Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. “We all end up chasing the puck for some reason. We made a mistake.”

Just as they have done in each of its previous two losses in the series, Detroit dominated the game but couldn’t find an answer for Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne, who stopped 39 shots.

“We had a lot of chances that we didn’t score on,” Lidstrom said. “We finally got one on the power play, but we needed another goal and we couldn’t get it. We hit the post there late in the game.”

With the fat lady warming up, can the Wings salvage the series and win three straight? It’s a tough task at hand, but if any team can do it the Wings can.

“It’s definitely disappointing, but they still have to win one more game,” said Howard, who made 14 saves. “I’m not that type of person just to roll over.”

At least they’ve won in Nashville this postseason. The same can’t be said for Detroit.

This team always plays its best hockey in these types of situations.

***

GAME BROWSER: NSH 3, DET 1

Most Valuable Wing: Kyle Quincey made the defensive move of the game when he prevented Shea Weber from scoring with 7:15 left in the second period and also added an assist on Jiri Hudler’s third period goal.

Three Stars: 1. Pekka Rinne (NSH), 2. Kevin Klein (NSH), 3. Kyle Quincey (DET)

NSH: G. Bourque (01:55 – 3rd), K. Klein (06:25 – 3rd), D. Legwand PPG (19:21 – 3rd)

DET: J. Hudler PPG (03:14 – 3rd)

Goalies

NSH: P. Rinne (W)

DET:  J. Howard (L)

Key Stat: 0 –Victories for the Red Wings in two home playoff games this series

0 – The number of losses the Red Wings can afford to lose. It’s win or go home from here-on-out in this series.

Next Up: The Wings face elimination in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Friday at 8 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Photo: Detroit News

Thus far the opening round of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs has been characterized by a lot of fights and dirty hits.

The Detroit Red Wings want to steer away from a trend that has cost them in two games vs. the Nashville Predators.

Detroit ranks third among the 16 playoff teams with 19 minor penalties. Only Philadelphia and Vancouver have more with 20 each.

“I think you see that in playoff hockey, where your intensity is a lot higher and your sense of urgency is up a little bit too,” Wings coach Nicklas Lidstrom said. “Sometimes emotions take over. That’s where you’ve got to keep your cool and not get sucked into some of the penalties. You can still react to it, but you have to be aware of it and you have to have that in the back of your mind that you can’t do certain things now.”

Detroit is averaging 6.3 minor penalties per playoff game, which is their highest since 2006 when the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Wings in six games in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Wings realize they can’t let their emotions get the better of them and give Nashville an extra edge.

“It is called a little tighter but at the same time we have to be more disciplined, can’t be taking stick penalties or undisciplined penalties, we just got to be smarter,” said Justin Abdelkader. “They have a good power play, we can’t keep going on the kill and waste time 5-on-4 when we could be playing 5-on-5.”

Scoring first is also key for Detroit. The first team to score in each of the first three games has gone on to win.

The Wings went 32-9-3 when scoring first in the regular season.

“I thought someone told me it was like 80 percent of the time during the regular-season when you score first you win, so I don’t think that’s any different now,” said Wings coach Mike Babcock. “It’s a priority for everyone, you want to get started on time. We lost the first four face-offs (Sunday), that led to forechecks … anyway you look at it that leads to momentum, that probably leads to you taking a penalty and more momentum, so you got to start on time for sure and it’s a priority each and every night.”

The last thing Detroit can afford is to head back to Nashville for Game 5 down 3-1 and facing elimination.

Western Conference Quarterfinals

GAME THREE

DETROIT (1-2) at NASHVILLE (2-1)

Tuesday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.

Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

TV: CBC, NBCSN, RDS2, FS-D(HD)

Radio: 97.1

Quarterfinals Series

Nashville: 2-1

Stats

Western Conference Quarterfinals: Game Three

Photo: Detroit News

Nashville Predators defeat Detroit Red Wings 3-2

For the team that was nearly flawless at home in the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings’ first home game of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs was a letdown.

The Wings lost their mometnum as the Nashville Predators prevailed by a familiar score of 3-2.

The Predators now lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.

“We did lots of good things, their goaltender (Pekka Rinne) was good,” said Wings coach Mike Babcock. “We just have to come back and get after them at the start of the game to the end of the game, like we did (Sunday) in the later half.”

Shea Weber saw a special welcome from Wings fans playing at Joe Louis Arena for the first time after he smashed Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the glass following Game 1. The home crowd let everyone know of their distaste for the Predators’ captain, booing every time he touched the puck.

“It’s part of it,” Weber said. “Whatever.”

But that didn’t stop him from opening scoring at 2:48 in the first period. Up to that point the Wings had held Nashville scoreless (0-for-12) on the power play in the series.

Kevin Klein scored for the Predators in the beginning of the second period to jump out to a 2-0 lead in enemy territory.

But then Pavel Datsyuk went all Pavel Datsyuk on Nashville. He stripped the puck from defenseman Roman Josi behind the net and got it past an unsuspecting Rinne to cut the deficit to one at 15:03 of the second period.

Detroit appeared to tie the game in the closing second of the second period when Johan Franzen got the puck past Rinne. But the goal was ruled one-tenth of a second late and Nashville held a 2-1 lead heading into intermission.

“We knew before we left the bench,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “Our video guy said it wasn’t in.”

While the Wings controlled play in the first part of the third period, they weren’t able to get anything past Rinne, unlike in Game 2.

Henrik Zetterberg scored a late goal for Detroit, but it was too late.

“We were better than them in the first game (a Nashville victory); they were better than us in the second game (a Detroit win),” defenseman Jonathan Ericsson said. “It’s been like that because we were better than them today. It doesn’t really make sense, but it’s about scoring goals.”

Each of the first three games has seen a final of 3-2 and in each of those instances the team that scored first prevailed. The lesson for Detroit on Tuesday? No sluggish start.

“We have to dig in and be really strong in Game 4,” said Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom.

***

GAME BROWSER: NSH 3, DET 2

Most Valuable Wing: Pavel Datsyuk went all Datsyukian on Roman Josi and got the puck past an unsuspecting Pekka Rinne to score Detroit’s first goal.

Three Stars: 1. Shea Weber (NSH), 2. Pavel Datsyuk (DET), 3. Pekka Rinne (NSH)

NSH: S. Weber PPG (02:48 – 1st), K. Klein (03:50 – 2nd), S. Kostitsyn (16:30 – 3rd)

DET: P. Datsyuk (15:03 – 2nd), H. Zetterberg PPG (19:06– 3rd)

Goalies

NSH: P. Rinne (W)

DET:  J. Howard (L)

Key Stat: 43 –Shots on goal by Detroit, who out-shot the Preds by nearly double (22).

Next Up: Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals is Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena.

Western Conference Quarterfinals: Game Two

Photo: Detroit News

Detroit Red Wings defeat Nashville Predators 3-2

Just like that, the Detroit Red Wings are right back in it.

After a disappointing loss in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals, the Wings came out focused and determined to even the series before heading home for the next two games.

And that’s just what they did.

Detroit brought the pressure on Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne and got strong goaltending from Jimmy Howard to defeat the Predators 3-2 Friday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

“I don’t think there’s much to pick between these teams, I think we all know that,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “We have a chance to have a real good series. I think our team will be way better from here on and we’re excited about our opportunity.”

Todd Bertuzzi lit an early fire under Detroit as he settled a score with Predators captain Shea Weber, who escaped suspension after smashing Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the glass following Game 1.

It took just under two minutes before the gloves came off and Bertuzzi took care of business, though he downplayed its significance.

“Just a hockey play,” Bertuzzi said.

But his teammates thought otherwise.

“Bert did a great job of taking care of it,” defenseman Brad Stuart said. “Get it done with and now we just play hockey. It probably gave us a boost and let us get into our game.”

After a solid 35-save performance in Game 1, Rinne was the focus for the Wings heading into Game 2 and that was evident in Detroit’s play. Rinne gave up three goals on the first 10 shots he faced.

Ian White, Cory Emmerton and Johan Franzen scored for Detroit, who took a 3-1 lead into the final minutes of the third period.

“We were ready to play,” defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said. “They put a strong forecheck on us but we responded and got timely goals, goals from people that really stepped up for us.”

But Nashville would attempt to rally back, much like Detroit did in Game 1. And just like the Wings, the Predators fell short.

The series heads north to Detroit on Sunday at noon as the Wings look to build off the momentum from Game 2 and rediscover the power of playing on home ice.

***

GAME BROWSER: DET 3, NSH 2

Most Valuable Wing: Jimmy Howard stopped 24 shots and made some great saves in another solid performance.

Three Stars: 1. Jimmy Howard (DET), 2. Johan Franzen (DET), 3. Cory Emmerton (DET)

DET: I. White (08:25 – 1st), C. Emmerton (15:33 – 1st), J. Franzen (09:57 – 2nd)

NSH: A. Kostitsyn (09:01 – 2nd), S. Weber (15:16– 3rd)

Goalies

DET: J. Howard (W)

NSH:  P. Rinne (L)

Key Stat: 12 –Nashville power plays–of 12–that Detroit has killed off in the series thus far.

Next Up: Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals is Sunday at 12 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena.

Photo: Detroit News

Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said his team has moved forward from the controversy that ensued Wednesday night when Nashville captain Shea Weber slammed Henrik Zetterberg’s head into the glass following Game 1.

“I’ve moved on,” Babcock said.

Babcock and the Wings are focused on evening the series on Friday night.

One of those obstacles? Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Rinne was phenomenal for Nashville stopping 35 shots and frustrated Detroit. The Wings had some scoring chances but couldn’t overpower Rinne.

Babcock said his team needs to get to the net more.

“We were too easy to play against,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock told the media Thursday. “We have to get to the net more (in Game 2 tonight). We’ve talked about that. … It’s no real surprise. We didn’t do our part.”

“We had a hard time getting to the net, we have to drive and stuff like that,” Tomas Holmstrom told the media. “They kept us outside. When the shot came, we weren’t at the net. … You have to be your guy and be determined to get to the net.”

Johan Franzen said the pressure is on to put pressure on Rinne.

“We just have to make it a little harder on the goalie and get in front of the net. Drive a little harder and push him back in the net and get more (room) to shoot on.”

Western Conference Quarterfinals: Game One

Photo: Detroit News

Nashville Predators defeat Detroit Red Wings 3-2

This wasn’t the way the Detroit Red Wings were looking to start the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

It was a hard-fought game one contest that saw unlucky hops and bounces. For the Wings, that is. Nashville would consider them to be lucky.

Gabriel Bourque scored two goals for Nashville and Pekka Rinne had 35 saves and the Predators took Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals by a final score of 3-2 Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena.

“Anytime you lose Game 1, especially when you’re the road team, I think it’s a great opportunity to win a game for sure,” said Wings coach Mike Babcock. “Now we just have to get refocused and we’ve got to win a game in here.”

The Predators edged out the Wings for home ice advantage and the No. 4 seed, making it just the second time in nearly two decades that Detroit has started the playoffs on the road.

After Paul Gaustad scored early in the first period, Henrik Zetterberg evened the score with a power play goal at 02:29 into the second period.

But Bourque answered with two goals of his own, coming at 12:29 in the second and 11:35 in the third.

After a brief 5-on-3 power play opportunity turned into a 4-on-3, Tomas Holmstrom netted a power play goal to bring Detroit to within one goal with 2:07 remaining.

But the Wings couldn’t break through the nearly impenetrable force that was Pekka Rinne.

“That’s why they call it a series,” Detroit defenseman Brad Stuart said. “There’s more than one game, and we have the opportunity to make up for it.”

Darren Helm’s return to action was short-lived. The forward suffered an upper-body injury in the first period and did not return.

Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard was solid, but stood no chance on two Nashville goals. Howard stopped 23 shots.

“Let’s be honest,” Babcock said. “Their first goal and their second goal were kind of seeing-eye pucks. Those things happen in the playoffs. They won today. We’re going to come back next game.”

The drama didn’t end near game’s end.

Nashville’s Shea Weber and Zetterberg were battling for the puck behind the Nashville net in the final seconds. With 0.5 seconds remaining, Weber punched Zetterberg in the back of the head and then grabbed Zetterberg’s head in both hands and slammed it into the glass.

Weber will likely and should be suspended for this incident. You stay classy, Nashville.

***

GAME BROWSER: DET 2, NSH 3

Most Valuable Wing: Henrik Zetterberg scored Detroit’s first goal and broke a 1-0 deficit in the process in the second period.

Three Stars: 1. Gabriel Bourque (NSH), 2. Pekka Rinne (NSH), 3. Paul Gaustad (NSH)

DET: H. Zetterberg PPG (02:29 – 2nd), T. Holmstrom PPG (17:53 – 3rd)

NSH: P. Gaustad (06:59 – 1st), G. Bourque (12:29– 2nd), G. Bourque (11:35 – 3rd)

Goalies

DET: J. Howard (L)

NSH:  P. Rinne (W)

Key Stat: 37 –Shots on goal for the Red Wings, who out-shot Nashville 37-26.

Next Up: Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals is Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena.

Photo: Detroit News

Before the first puck drop in the Western Conference Quarterfinals almost every expert is picking the Nashville Predators to top the Detroit Red Wings.

The Wings don’t buy it. And they don’t consider themselves to be underdogs headed into this series.

“Have I really been thinking that we’re underdogs? Not really,” Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard told Mlive.com’s Ansar Khan this week. “I still think we’re one of the better teams in the League. It just happens that we hit a stretch that wasn’t very kind to us.”

It seems everyone has already forgotten that Detroit set an NHL record with 23 consecutive home victories in February. But, with all due respect, Detroit’s recent play is a big reason for the doubt and why people are leaning toward Nashville.

Of course, after that stretch the Wings were plagued by injuries to their top players, including captain Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk and starting goaltender Jimmy Howard. It’s been rocky since that point, that saw a mixture of highs and lows in the last 20 games, and the Wings wound up losing a seesaw battle for home ice advantage with the Predators.

“So what’s changed between now and then?” Wings coach Mike Babcock told the Detroit News. “We’ve had some injuries. But our real team is gonna be starting the playoffs. I’m confident and they’re confident. For whatever reason, year after year, we seem to find ways to win games. I’ve been here seven years and we’ve won tons of playoff games. I expect that to continue.

But Babcock said his team is “hungry” for another Stanley Cup title.

“These guys here are hungry,” he said. “Kenny Holland is hungry. Jimmy Nill’s hungry. Jimmy D’s (Devellano) hungry. Mr. Ilitch looooves to win. I loooove that.”

Western Conference Quarterfinals

GAME ONE

DETROIT (48-26-8) at NASHVILLE (48-26-8)

Wednesday, April 11, 8 p.m.

Bridgestone Area, Nashville

TV: CNBC, CBC, RDS2, FS-D (HD), SPSO (HD)

Last 10 Games

DET: 4-4-2

NSH: 6-4-0

Season Series

Split: 3-3

Injury Report

DET:Patrick Eaves (concussion) and Joey MacDonald (back) are out.

Danny Cleary (knee soreness) and Helm (knee sprain) are questionable.

NSH: Hal Gill (lower body/foot) is questionable.

Stats

Photo: Detroit News

The Detroit Red Wings will open the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs in a Western Conference quarterfinals series against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday.

These Central Division rivals split the season series in the regular season.

Check out the full schedule:

No. 4 Nashville Predators vs. No. 5 Detroit Red Wings

Wednesday, April 11– Detroit at Nashville — 8 p.m. (Fox Sports Detroit, CNBC, CBC)

Friday, April 13 — Detroit at Nashville — 7:30 p.m. (Fox Sports Detroit, CNBC, CBC)

Sunday, April 15 — Nashville at Detroit — 12 p.m. (NBC, CBC)

Tuesday, April 17 — Nashville at Detroit –7:30 p.m. (NBC Sports Network, CBC)

*Friday, April 20 — Detroit at Nashville — 8 p.m. (Fox Sports Detroit, CNBC, CBC)

*Sunday, April 22 — Nashville at Detroit — TBD (TBD)

*Tuesday, April 24, 2012 — Detroit at Nashville — TBD (TBD)

(Games 5-7 are if necessary)