DETROIT, Michigan -- The Detroit Red Wings leapfrogged into first place in the National Hockey League Wednesday night with a 4-2 win over the Central Division rival Nashville Predators. The Red Wings now lead Nashville by one point in the standings while retaining a game in hand.
Detroit needed a comeback to earn the win and rookie Jiri Hudler delivered, scoring twice to even the game and then put his team out in front.
With the Red Wings down 2-1 and 3:37 remaining in the second period, Robert Lang threw the puck out in front from behind the net and Kyle Calder got a whack at it. The rebound came out to Hudler, who whipped it past Nashville goalie Chris Mason to even the game.
At 5:41 of the third, Hudler would score the eventual game-winner, sneaking in behind the defense and taking a pass from Lang before roofing a shot over Mason.
Kirk Maltby added an empty-net goal to seal the win.
Alexander Radulov opened the scoring for the Predators with 1:54 remaining in the first period. Radulov stole the puck in the neutral zone and got around defender Andreas Lilja, who couldn't get back to stop him from putting a shot past netminder Dominik Hasek's glove.
Nicklas Lidstrom tied the game just 1:16 into the second, blasting a shot from the top of the left circle past Mason.
Jason Arnott put Nashville back out front 8:56 later, knocking a fluttering puck past Hasek with the shaft of his stick.
Hasek finished the night with 27 saves on 29 shots against. Mason stopped 31 of the 34 shots he faced.
Neither team scored on the power play. The Predators had five chances with the extra attacker while the Red Wings had one.
The Red Wings will be back in action on Saturday night in Vancouver in the first game of a brief two-game Western Canada road trip that will wrap up on Tuesday in Calgary.
Notes: The Red Wings lost rookie Valtteri Filppula to an unspecified lower body injury at the end of the second period.
Two games that could decide the final standings right here. Nashville can leave with a 7-point lead or Detroit can lead by one. The Wings will have a game in hand but 7 points would be a lot to make up.
Wow, I've never seen Babcock as livid as he was after the Schneider penalty for hitting Tootoo. Way to go, Mikey, give 'em hell.
Not that it really matters, though, with the Preds scoring on the power play.
If Detroit doesn't drop the gloves on this team tonight, we're not ready for the playoffs! I really am tired of this weak ass mentality the guys have brought to the past few games. 
Duhh,Ah Duhh..Duhhh.......
That's what the interview just played with Jordan TooToo sounded like.
Go WINGS!!!
See! Now why isn't that player coming into the crease late, getting an attitude adjustment! Weak man! Plain WEAK!!
Wings are lucky to have gotten out of that period still tied. Nashville only scored on one of their power plays, since those should even out (should) over the game, the Wings will need to make the most of their chances.
I don't think the Wings need to drop the gloves tonight, the Predators seem to get more of a boost from that than Detroit does, but they do need to hit.
I don't think the Wings need to drop the gloves tonight, the Predators seem to get more of a boost from that than Detroit does, but they do need to hit.
[/quote]
Yeah, I see your point, but at this point, I would care more about putting a smackdown on that team more than the win. Detroit hasn't given the Preds a look at the Pit Bull that I KNOW! we have. The lack of respect that the Preds play with is significant in their mental adjustment. Every time Detroit brings the physical game, we win; when we don't, we lose. How can the Wings not notice this point. Seriously, where and when do you say enough is enough and put the smokin on some foos!
Just my opinion on how to bring a team together.
Go Wings!
Yeah! Put the smoke on that silly idiot BOOTSTRAP!!
How can the Wings not notice this point.
I'd argue that they're more focused on the standings point(s). Not that they're mutually exclusive.
Maltby gets Detroit back out front. Not a power play goal but I'd say good enough. 
Almost got a fight there. Of course, do you expect Bootland to break his hand apart on Tootoo's visor? Real easy to throw punches when you know you're protected.
How can the Wings not notice this point.
I'd argue that they're more focused on the standings point(s). Not that they're mutually exclusive.Maltby gets Detroit back out front. Not a power play goal but I'd say good enough.
Almost got a fight there. Of course, do you expect Bootland to break his hand apart on Tootoo's visor? Real easy to throw punches when you know you're protected.
Well, being first in the standings sure hasn't had its dividends the past few years. But I'll tell you this. Edmonton didn't have much but a chip on their shoulders and took care of business, as well, Calgary also had the team strength concept and it almost payed off. The only thing stopping both of those teams was a lack of stamina because all of the hard work, and amount of talent in the forwards. So, if you can tell me mutual exclusivity doesn't play a big part of the game, then you must play soccer. 
Go Wings.
Heh, they can make a point and get some points just fine. They have time to make the point later (one game left after this series), they need points now.
Much better period until the end. Held the Preds off the board but they had too many chances in the final minute. Glad to see the Wings haven't let up yet.
For sure, hopefully the Wings have some extra for the last period. Great game so far, as we've seen Detroit come out with more determination while the game has progressed. I hope to see #13 put one in early and then late! I love to be optimistic.
Go Wings.
Jiri Hudler with a big, big goal. And the Preds come back hitting. Come on guys, take advantage.
Jiri Hudler with a big, big goal. And the Preds come back hitting. Come on guys, take advantage.
What is the deal with the f*cking Catfish.... that town is so retarded. Let's try to be like Detroit and start something... Silly Hillbillies!
Yeah get'em boys!!!
Go WINGS!!!
Huge stop by Osgood!
What did the Wings do that deserved a call more than the cross-check on Holmstrom by Weber?
Huge stop by Osgood!
What did the Wings do that deserved a call more than the cross-check on Holmstrom by Weber?
Yeah Osgood! Anything is called against us these days... f*cking schmucks!
f*cking awful. Not saying Chelios didn't deserve a call, but how do you call that and not some of the others? And of course, the Preds capitalize.
Man, I can't believe the calls tonight! I mean come on, they are higher in the standings too! Refs blow me nuts!! Arrryyee!!
And another one on Detroit. Well, if the Preds don't pull this out, they can't say they didn't get their chances.
Holy f*ck! They got a bounce! Calder off the skate of Zidlicky! Wings up, 4-2!
And another one on Detroit. Well, if the Preds don't pull this out, they can't say they didn't get their chances.
Holy f*ck! They got a bounce! Calder off the skate of Zidlicky! Wings up, 4-2!
Hey, it wasn't Dats early and late, but it was Hudler...Whoo HOOO
Go Wings!
Yeah FlippS!!!
Fil with the breakaway goal to put this one away!
Big, big two points. Worst-case, they come out of this series in the same spot they came in, but they've also got the chance to pass the Preds and keep their game in hand.
wings looked good
only gonna get better
calder has been on fire
bye bye williams, you're not missed
Whew, I looked at the feed for the game tonight from San Diego and thought it was the Nashville commentary. It would've been too much for me, I would've found the short pier.
Nice try Calder!!
Go Wings
Wow. For such a supposed tough guy, Tootoo sure is a p*ssy. Bootland tries to get him to go in a fair fight, unlike the one last night, and Tootoo refused. Wuss.
Look at this Bootstrap! That boy is hitting everything...Yeah!! That's me boy!
What a dive from Tootoo. The Refs must be blind tonight, what's new.
Go Wings!
Keep your head Dom baby, we need you tonight.
Gah, neither Dom nor Lilja kept his head on the Radulov goal. Bad giveaway, then Hasek didn't square properly.
Wow, Nashville absolutely should have had a penalty shot.
Damn, Hudler is on fire! And the Wings are really buzzing here in the second, we'll see what they can keep up in the final 23 minutes.
This is why I was hesitant to throw Hudler's name around at the trade deadline. What a series he's having.
Maltby finishes it!
The Detroit Red Wings are atop the National Hockey League standings.
Enjoyed watching a couple of great hockey games!!! Are we ready for the PLAYOFFS? GO WINGS!!!
Comment on this Article
You must be logged in to add your comment.