GDT: Red Wings @ Predators - 3/13/2007 - 7:00pm CST

PredDave · March 13th, 2007, 06:41 AM

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;...gid=2007031327

Detroit (43-17-9) at Nashville (46-18-6)

They are two of the NHL's top teams, and they are getting quite familiar with one another.

The Nashville Predators try to extend their lead in the Central Division when they host the second-place Detroit Red Wings in the first game of a home-and-home series on Tuesday.

These teams play again Wednesday in Detroit and on March 29 in Nashville. Last week, the Red Wings beat the Predators 4-3 in a shootout at home.

Nashville -- which hasn't lost in regulation since Feb. 17, going 7-0-3 in that span -- has an NHL-leading 98 points, three more than the Red Wings. The Predators also lead Anaheim by three points in the race for the Western Conference's top seed.

The Predators (46-18-6) could reach 100 points with a victory on Tuesday and open up a big lead if they sweep the home-and-home set with the Red Wings. Detroit (43-17-9), though, also has a chance to take over first place if it comes away with two wins.

These teams have met five times this season, with the home side winning each game.

"It's going to be huge," Nashville defenseman Kimmo Timonen said after his team beat Columbus 2-1 on Saturday. "That's why you play these games, to get ready for those games. It's going to be a huge two games."

The Predators are wrapping up a three-game homestand after winning the first two over Calgary and Columbus. Missing several key players on Saturday, Nashville got a goal and an assist from both Paul Kariya and David Legwand to beat the Blue Jackets and sweep the season series with Columbus.

Kariya has three goals and four assists during a five-game point streak for the Predators, who were missing Peter Forsberg, Steve Sullivan, Scott Hartnell and Scott Nichol on Saturday.

"We have to get our rest and get prepared for them," Kariya said of the Red Wings. "We know it's going to be a high-energy couple of games and really enjoyable. Those are the games you live for."

These teams have split their last nine regular-season meetings, though Detroit beat Nashville 4-2 in the first round of the 2004 playoffs.

The Red Wings had recorded a point in 10 straight games, going 7-0-3, before getting blown out 6-3 by Boston on Sunday in the finale of a five-game homestand. Detroit allowed three goals in the third period and has given up 26 in its last eight games.

PredDave · March 13th, 2007, 06:44 AM

Preds tonight - Nashville, Tennessee - Tuesday, 03/13/07 - Tennessean.com

Predators vs. Red Wings

Where: Nashville Arena

When: 7 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net

Radio: 104.5-FM

Tickets: Sold out

Season series: Predators have a 2-2-1 record against the Wings.

Red Wings story line: Detroit trails Nashville by three points in the Central Division, but has played one less game than the Predators. … The Red Wings had picked up at least a point in 10 straight games (7-0-3) before suffering a regulation loss to Boston on Sunday. … Nick Lidstrom leads all NHL defensemen with 59 points (12 goals, 47 assists). … Chris Osgood is expected to start in goal.

Predators story line: Nashville has picked up at least a point in 10 straight games while going 7-0-3. … The Predators are 2-0 at home against Detroit this season, posting a 6-2 win in November and a 4-3 overtime victory in February. … Left wing Paul Kariya has a five-game point streak, collecting seven points (three goals, four assists) during that stretch. … Right wing J.P. Dumont has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last five games.

Red Wings injuries: LW Henrik Zetterberg (back), C Johan Franzen (upper body), RW Todd Bertuzzi (back), RW Daniel Cleary (knee), RW Tomas Kopecky (clavicle) and D Danny Markov (upper body) are out.

Predators injuries: LW Scott Hartnell (foot), C Scott Nichol (thumb) are out; LW Steve Sullivan (back) is doubtful; C Peter Forsberg (upper body) is questionable.

PredDave · March 13th, 2007, 06:47 AM

This home & home series is HUGE! I really hope the Preds can come out flying and match the Wings' talent.

Lets go Predators!

March 13th, 2007, 06:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	GDT: Red Wings @ Predators - 3/13/2007 - 7:00pm CST http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/preview;...gid=2007031327 Detroit (43-17-9) at Nashville (46-18-6) They are two of the NHL's top teams, and they are getting quite familiar with one another. The Nashville Predators try to extend their lead in the Central Division when they host the second-place Detroit Red Wings in the first game of a home-and-home series on Tuesday. These teams play again Wednesday in Detroit and on March 29 in Nashville. Last week, the Red Wings beat the Predators 4-3 in a shootout at home. Nashville -- which hasn't lost in regulation since Feb. 17, going 7-0-3 in that span -- has an NHL-leading 98 points, three more than the Red Wings. The Predators also lead Anaheim by three points in the race for the Western Conference's top seed. The Predators (46-18-6) could reach 100 points with a victory on Tuesday and open up a big lead if they sweep the home-and-home set with the Red Wings. Detroit (43-17-9), though, also has a chance to take over first place if it comes away with two wins. These teams have met five times this season, with the home side winning each game. "It's going to be huge," Nashville defenseman Kimmo Timonen said after his team beat Columbus 2-1 on Saturday. "That's why you play these games, to get ready for those games. It's going to be a huge two games." The Predators are wrapping up a three-game homestand after winning the first two over Calgary and Columbus. Missing several key players on Saturday, Nashville got a goal and an assist from both Paul Kariya and David Legwand to beat the Blue Jackets and sweep the season series with Columbus. Kariya has three goals and four assists during a five-game point streak for the Predators, who were missing Peter Forsberg, Steve Sullivan, Scott Hartnell and Scott Nichol on Saturday. "We have to get our rest and get prepared for them," Kariya said of the Red Wings. "We know it's going to be a high-energy couple of games and really enjoyable. Those are the games you live for." These teams have split their last nine regular-season meetings, though Detroit beat Nashville 4-2 in the first round of the 2004 playoffs. The Red Wings had recorded a point in 10 straight games, going 7-0-3, before getting blown out 6-3 by Boston on Sunday in the finale of a five-game homestand. Detroit allowed three goals in the third period and has given up 26 in its last eight games. Last edited by PredDave; March 13th, 2007 at 06:44 AM.

March 13th, 2007, 06:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	Preds tonight - Nashville, Tennessee - Tuesday, 03/13/07 - Tennessean.com Predators vs. Red Wings Where: Nashville Arena When: 7 p.m. TV: Fox Sports Net Radio: 104.5-FM Tickets: Sold out Season series: Predators have a 2-2-1 record against the Wings. Red Wings story line: Detroit trails Nashville by three points in the Central Division, but has played one less game than the Predators. … The Red Wings had picked up at least a point in 10 straight games (7-0-3) before suffering a regulation loss to Boston on Sunday. … Nick Lidstrom leads all NHL defensemen with 59 points (12 goals, 47 assists). … Chris Osgood is expected to start in goal. Predators story line: Nashville has picked up at least a point in 10 straight games while going 7-0-3. … The Predators are 2-0 at home against Detroit this season, posting a 6-2 win in November and a 4-3 overtime victory in February. … Left wing Paul Kariya has a five-game point streak, collecting seven points (three goals, four assists) during that stretch. … Right wing J.P. Dumont has six points (two goals, four assists) in his last five games. Red Wings injuries: LW Henrik Zetterberg (back), C Johan Franzen (upper body), RW Todd Bertuzzi (back), RW Daniel Cleary (knee), RW Tomas Kopecky (clavicle) and D Danny Markov (upper body) are out. Predators injuries: LW Scott Hartnell (foot), C Scott Nichol (thumb) are out; LW Steve Sullivan (back) is doubtful; C Peter Forsberg (upper body) is questionable.

March 13th, 2007, 06:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
PredDave Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 832	This home & home series is HUGE! I really hope the Preds can come out flying and match the Wings' talent. Lets go Predators!