DETROIT, Michigan -- The Detroit Red Wings rode two third-period goals by Henrik Zetterberg to a 3-1 win over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night, giving them a 1-0 lead in their first-round playoff matchup.
A lucky bounce off of a linesman kept Nashville's Shea Weber from clearing the puck early in the third period. Pavel Datsyuk recovered it and sent a cross-ice pass to Zetterberg for a one-timer past goalie Dan Ellis at 6:54.
Zetterberg would add an empty-net goal with 19 seconds remaining in the game, scoring on a shot from the neutral zone after a faceoff win by Kris Draper.
Johan Franzen scored the series-opening goal 5:58 into the game, grabbing the puck off of a missed clearing attempt by Radek Bonk and backhanding it over Ellis from the low slot.
Jordin Tootoo scored Nashville's lone goal with 2:13 left in the second, tipping a Greg Zanon shot from the point through Dominik Hasek and into the net.
Hasek finished the night with 19 saves on 20 shots against while Ellis stopped 37 of 39 Detroit attempts.
Game Two of the series will be on Saturday afternoon from Detroit's Joe Louis Arena.
Notes: Nashville's Scott Nichol left the game with an injury early in the second period.
It begins tonight and as of right now the Detroit lineup is uncertain. It looks like Stuart is in but no one seems to be able to tell us whether it'll be McCarty or Downey as the Wings' tough guy. Samuelsson may return, which could push Abdelkader into the press box. Draper appears to be returning and Holmstrom could remain in.
Notice all of those conditionals? Yeah, no one knows what's going on yet. Hopefully more will be clear after the morning skate.
MacLeod says that Downey, Abdelkader, Helm, Lebda and Meech are tonight's healthy scratches. Khan says Babcock hasn't decided yet but that doesn't mean Babs was telling the truth.
A little pre-game walk down memory lane...
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Hasek's diving already, he's in it.
Wings already looking slow. Not good at all.
Wow, awful call on Nashville. Not good.
Johan motherf*cking Franzen! Wings on the board!
YES! Franzen you beast! That's settled my nerves.
The wings are putting Nashville under serious pressure. Lets make this 2!
Smithson with an uncalled charge. Nice.
Umm... Anyone else just get commercials right in the middle of the game?
Not the most exciting of games, but as long as the Wings get a 2nd I won't care one jot.
Things are getting exciting. Ellis is doing well.
Great chance for Dastsyuk there. And another save by Ellis.
Son of a bitch!
NOOO! all the time they couldn't get that 2nd goal I knew this would happen. Let's hope there's not a big momentum shift.
Alright Zata! Back in front!
YESSS! Get in there!! Great pass, great shot. C'mon!
Upcoming power play. Time to come up big and stretch that lead.
Great play by Cleary there. It could be vital.
I mean pivotal.
Not that Kronwall didn't do it, but wasn't that hit pretty much what Nashville did earlier without a call?
Not that Kronwall didn't do it, but wasn't that hit pretty much what Nashville did earlier without a call?
I don't think the Nashville player led with his elbow though, which made the difference in terms of obviousness. Still should have been called though.
Big crack of thunder and lightining outside. Bad omen.
Or good omen! Hell Yeah!
One down!
Yes. The win's the important thing, but Nashville didn't half make it hard for them. Phew is all I can say.
And with that I say goodnight - I'm knackered. Roll on Saturday!
I think abdelkader should play sometime this series, line four hardly played. Anyone notice that clear attempt that hit the ref and lead to the zett. goal? I think they should have some kind of rule where the play is called dead if the puck hits the ref and stays in the zone or something. Oh well, game of bounces, this one went our way! I'm liking who the sharks and ducks have as opponents, they'll have a tough time against flames and stars. As for preds and wings, this series should be close.
One down... 15 to go
One down... 15 to go
At minimum! 
I expect some of the teams to give up a fight 
I like the playoff excitement, I can't really say anything else because it's all been said. Decent game.
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