02/16/12. 2011/12: 59. Predators @ Wings. 7:30 pm FS-D+, AM 1270

[lordstanley]

A Wings Win Would All But Kill The Preds' Central Division Title Hopes





Presents the following thread:



(33-18-6=72)

AT



(39-17-2=80)


This game is a presentation of:



Game 59
Location: Joe Louis Arena
Date: Friday, February 17th, 2012
Time: 7:30pm EST
Teams: Nashville Predators (Central) at Detroit Red Wings (Central)

Television Broadcast Provided by:



Fox Sports Detroit +

Radio Broadcast Provided by:



WXYT AM 1270

NHL.com Game Preview


Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings Game Preview - 02/17/2012
[B]

LAST 10 : Nashville 6-2-2; Detroit 7-2-1

Season Series: The Red Wings have won two of the first three meetings, both by 4-1 scores. The first of those victories was on Nov.26 at Joe Louis Arena and was an early part of Detroit's new NHL record 21-game home winning streak. The other Red Wings triumph came in the Music City exactly one month later, a day after Christmas. Nashville's lone victory against the Wings this season was a 4-3 victory at Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 15.

Big Story: Can Detroit maintain the kind of sustained, emotional effort it has shown in the past three home games - all while trying to tie and then break the NHL record for consecutive home victories? The Wings are bound to have a letdown game at some point on home ice, but when it happens is the mystery. Some signs point to this weekend, whether it's this game against a tough Nashville team or
Sunday's against recent-nemesis San Jose - which has eliminated the Wings in the Western Conference semifinal round each of the past two seasons.

Team Scope:

Predators : Ryan Ellis made sure the misery for the Central Division rival Chicago Blackhawks continued on Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena, when he scored his third goal of the season with 5:42 left in the third period for a 3-2 win that ended Nashville's three-game losing skid. It also extended Chicago's winless streak to nine games and caused the Hawks to question what they needed to do in order to get a victory after feeling like they outplayed the Preds for most of the game. Once again, Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne dazzled by making 30 saves and keeping Chicago at bay after Ellis' big goal to secure the win. Now the Preds head into the Motor City, where they've win three of the last five games dating back to last season.

"It's a big deal, obviously," Rinne said of winning games against Central Division opponents, which the Preds have done at a 13-2-2 clip this season. "It's division games and those points, really, they make a big difference and I think that's a reason for our separation in the standings right now. Those games have been really crucial for us, but it's not going to get any easier. We're going to face a tough team in Detroit."

Red Wings: The injuries are starting to pile up a little bit for Detroit, but the Wings have been lucky to get through Jimmy Howard's broken finger recovery mostly unscathed thanks to some stellar play by backup Joey MacDonald and some great defense in front of him. MacDonald nearly pitched a shutout in Detroit's record-setting 3-1 win against Dallas on Tuesday, allowing only Adam Burish's goal with 32.8 seconds remaining. The Wings have also gotten an offensive boost recently out of Henrik Zetterberg, who scored three goals in the last four games, but the Swedish star center will miss this game with an undisclosed lower-body injury. Rookie forward Tomas Tatar was recalled from Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League and will join the fourth line, which means the usually veteran-heavy Wings will be flying with three rookies in the starting forward lineup - Cory Emmerton and Jan Mursak being the other two.

"It's an opportunity," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We're going to bring up Tatar and put him in the lineup. He's been playing real well down there, the best player in Grand Rapids. We like to reward guys who are playing good."

Who's Hot: Rinne is 21-3-2 in his last 26 decisions and has 31 wins; he's one behind Howard for the League lead. MacDonald has won three straight games in net with a 1.72 goals-against average and .930 save percentage in six games since being recalled from Grand Rapids to replace Howard (broken finger).

Injury Report: Patric Hornqvist (upper body) missed Nashville's last game against Chicago and is unlikely to play against the Red Wings, while forward Brian McGrattan (upper body) was placed on injured reserve and hasn't played in four games. … Detroit's Danny Cleary (knee), Zetterberg (lower body) and Howard (broken index finger) are all out for this game, while forward Patrick Eaves (concussion symptoms after a broken jaw) is out indefinitely.

Stat Pack: Nashville is 21-10 when playing with one day's rest between games and just 5-10 when getting two days off between games, while the Red Wings are 13-17 with one day off and 6-4 when after a couple days of to recover.

Puck Drop: Eaves was injured in the Preds' last trip to Detroit on Nov.26 - a 4-1 Red Wings win - after a slap shot from the point by Nashville's Roman Josi hit him in the side of the head late in the third period. Eaves was taken off on a stretcher and diagnosed with a fractured jaw, which required surgery. The jaw is now healed, but concussion symptoms remain and Eaves is out indefinitely.

"He's had concussion-like symptoms, probably had a concussion," Detroit general manager Ken Holland said this week. "He's feeling better every day. He doesn't want to push it. I'm going to plan that he's not going to be ready to play this year, but I'm hoping he does play this year."

[drownwithyou]

Predators picked up Hal Gill via trade today.

[lordstanley]

This has all the makings of being a real challenge for the Wings - possible letdown game after mission accomplished Tuesday night, Zetterberg maybe sitting out, tough opponent.

[jz]

I think we're in for a great game tonight. Hopefully the Wings don't have a hangover from the other night because I expect Nashville to come out banging on all cylinders.

[hail2mich]

Zetterberg is playing tonight

[hail2mich]

Franzen makes it 1-0! Nice pass from Datsyuk after falling

[jz]

Datsyuk is unreal. Laying down and still makes the perfect pass.

[lordstanley]

Ha, Datsyuk crashes into boards yet still manages to pick up lovely assist.

[lordstanley]

It would be nice if the Wings could win tonight while still managing to make Weber and Suter feel at home.

[Titus Tiger]

Ha, Datsyuk crashes into boards yet still manages to pick up lovely assist.

I don't think I have ever seen Datsyuk play on TV, but right now it sounds like he is hands down the best playing.. this true?

[jz]

Hell of a play by Nashville to tie it up. Can't blame Kindle too much.

[lordstanley]

I don't think I have ever seen Datsyuk play on TV, but right now it sounds like he is hands down the best playing.. this true?

#1 on the Wings, top 3-5 in the NHL if not #1 in the NHL.

[jz]

I'm glad the Wings already have the record because if not, I'd be freaking out right now. Nashville wants this game as much, if not more, than the Wings.

[lordstanley]

Wings buzzing a bit but not much time left for the Wings to avoid a "one shot ends the streak" scenario. 1-1, with 4 minutes to go in regulation.

[hail2mich]

OH MY GOD!!! PAVEL!!!

[jz]

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG Datsyuk is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

[lordstanley]

NO WAY, are you kidding?!?! GWG with 6 seconds to go. Wings should win.

[Titus Tiger]

[Titus Tiger]

NO WAY, are you kidding?!?! GWG with 6 seconds to go. Wings should win.

Imagine if he was the BEST

[lordstanley]

I have seen the replay on FSND, but live was actually listening to it on the radio. I'm sure Daniels & Mickey erupted when it went in.

[lordstanley]

I love counting the Tigers' magic number down in September and counting the Wings' streak number up in February.

[Titus Tiger]

Who was the Wings player who said the Wings want to destroy the record....

[hail2mich]

Datsyuk burned Suter on the game winner. What a beauty.

Zetterberg made some nice passes tonight that set up a few great opportunities. Great to see him playing well.

[Vonlenska]

So sick. And a pretty pass by Z.

[Detroit Rock City]

Pavel is the Man! Unreal how good he is 1-1 against anyone. Suter is a very solid defenseman and Pavel just undressed him. Great win again at home.

[Titus Tiger]

so an assisted from his belly and dukes it out one on one..

[lordstanley]

Suter, I love ya, but if you don't want to look silly again near the end of the game ... sign with the Wings!!

[Dan Gilmore]

Awesome play to win it.

[lordstanley]

Datsyuk's assist, as on FSND+

Dats-oops! Video - NHL VideoCenter - Detroit Red Wings

Datsyuk's goal

Dat's All, Folks! Video - NHL VideoCenter - Detroit Red Wings

[holygoat]

Pavel Datsyuk is good at hockey.

[RJBBREZ]

Pavel is freaky good. What a goal.

[drownwithyou]

What an awesome goal, nice pass by Hank to set it all up.

[lordstanley]

Lidstrom to Zetterberg to Datsyuk past Weber for a goal. That's not just a regular great goal, that's a 1970 Brazilian national soccer team great goal.