Faceoff Factor

Red Wings vs. Predators Series Preview

Justin Maffei | National Hockey League

Apr 8, 11:03 PM | Hype this story!

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Red Wings(1) vs. Predators(8) Conference Quarterfinals Preview
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Many people have automatically written the Predators off. The series between these two division rivals, however, has been a tight scoring affair. In the eight games between these teams this season, Detroit has amassed 21 goals and Nashville, 19. The average margin for victory has been 1.5 goals, and two games were decided in overtime.

The Red Wings will look for a large contribution from Johan Franzen. In eight games against the Predators, Franzen has six goals, including three game winners. He was also named the NHL’s third star for March. During that month, Franzen had 15 goals in a 16 game stretch.

The Predators will hope for a good series from Alexander Radulov and Martin Erat. The two combined for eight of the Predators’ 19 goals during the season series (4 goals each). JP Dumont added two goals.

On paper, the Red Wings look to have the definite advantage. They were first in the league in Goals Against and third in Goals For. Nashville was 15th and 12th, respectively.

The statistics for special teams also show a slight advantage for Detroit. Nashville will test its third ranked penalty killing team against Detroit’s potent third ranked power play. However, Nashville’s 27th ranked power play may struggle against Detroit’s 8th ranked penalty kill.

The edge in goaltending goes to Detroit, based on experience. The Wings have two proven goaltenders in Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood. The Predators’ goalies have combined for only five playoff games.

Detroit has the edge in the season series with a 5-3-0 record over the Predators. However, two of those wins came in overtime. This figures to be a tight series, but Detroit’s veteran presence should allow them to win the series.

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Team Numbers
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Standings
Detroit: 54-21-7; 115 pts; 1st Central; 1st Western; 1st NHL
Dallas: 41-32-9; 91 pts; 2nd Central; 8th Western; 17th NHL

Records
Detroit: 29-9-3 at home; 25-12-4 on the road; 5-3-0 vs. NSH; 7-1-0 in last 10
Nashville: 23-14-4 at home; 18-18-5 on the road; 3-3-2 vs. ANA; 6-3-1 in last 10

Special Teams
Detroit: PP, 20.7% (3rd); PK, 84.0% (8th)
Nashville: PP, 14.8% (27th); PK, 85.4% (3rd)

Scoring
Detroit: 252 GF (3rd); 179 GA (1st)
Nashville: 227GF (12th); 224 GA (15th)

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Player Leaders
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Goals
Detroit: Zetterberg (43); Datsyuk (31); Franzen (27)
Nashville: Dumont (29); Arnott (28); Radulov (26)

Assists
Detroit: Datsyuk (66); Lidstrom (60); Zetterberg (49)
Nashville: Arnott (44); Dumont (43); Zidlicky(38)

Points
Detroit: Datsyuk (97); Zetterberg (92); Lidstrom (70)
Nashville: Dumont (72); Arnott (72); Radulov (58)

Penalty Minutes
Detroit: Downey (116); Lilja (93); Stuart (69)
Nashville: Tootoo (100); Nichol (72); Suter (71); De Vries (71)

Wins
Detroit: Osgood (27); Hasek (27)
Nashville: Ellis (23); Mason (18)
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Injuries
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Detroit: Kopecky (Sprained MCL and Torn ACL; Out), Maltby (Hamstring; DTD), Draper (Groin, DTD), Samuelsson (Groin, DTD), Stuart (Broken Finger, DTD)
Nashville: Legwand (Bruised Foot, DTD), Ortmeyer (Right Knee, IR), Gelinas (Knee Sprain, IR), Sullivan (Back Surgery, IR)

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Series Schedule
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All times are in EST.

Game 1: April 10 at 7:00 in DET; TSN, Versus(HD)
Game 2: April 12 at 2:00 in DET; RIS, TSN, NBC
Game 3: April 14 at 7:30 in NSH; RIS, TSN, Versus(HD)
Game 4: April 16 at 9:00 in NSH; CBC, RDS, Versus

Game 5: April 18 at 7:30 in DET (if needed); CBC, RIS, Versus(HD)
Game 6: April 20 at 3:00 in NSH; CBC,RDS,NBC (HD)
Game 7: April 22 at TBD in DET; TSN