Predators Oust Red Wings from Playoffs

Predators Oust Red Wings from Playoffs
Ed Condran

Nashville, TN

The Predators finally defeated the Detroit Red Wings for the first time in three playoff series with David Legwand scoring the winner 13 seconds into the third period en route to Nashville's 2-1 win at Bridgestone Arena.

It marked only the second playoff series win in franchise history for Nashville, which ousted the Red Wings in five games.

Alexander Radulov had a goal and an assist for the Predators, who withstood an early flurry from Detroit before the Nashville offense got going and drew first blood with 3:50 to play in the first stanza.

The fifth-seeded Red Wings opened the game by outshooting the Predators 6-1, but got on board only in the second following a crash play to the net that saw Henrik Zetterberg attack the net from the right wing and Jiri Hudler equalizing it with 6:15 to left in the period.

Legwand, who also had an assist, swept away whatever momentum the Red Wings had built with a strong middle frame by shattering the 1-1 deadlock, and the Preds took a lead they did not relinquish.

Pekka Rinne, who has been a thorn for the Red Wings' offense, having stopped 130-of-138 shots for a .942 save percentage in this series entering Thursday, finished Game 5 with 21 saves.

Rinne, who was coming off a 40-save effort for the Game 4 victory, allowed only nine goals in the series five games.

Losing netminder Jimmy Howard made 23 stops for the Red Wings, who had taken the previous two playoff meeting against Nashville in 2004 and '08.

The win capped an impressive season for the fourth-seeded Predators, who finished ahead in the standings for the first time against their Central Division rival Red Wings, the league's dominant franchise during the last two decades.

The Predators, the first team to advance this postseason, also handed the Red Wings their earliest postseason departure since 2006, when they were upset by the Edmonton Oilers in six games.

The Red Wings, one of the NHL's storied franchises and owner of 11 Stanley Cups, were appearing in the playoffs for the 21st straight season.

In the second round, the Predators could face any of the remaining Western playoff teams - - Vancouver, Los Angeles, San Jose, St. Louis, Chicago or Phoenix.