Anders Lindback saves the Preds in 3-2 victory at Detroit

Holding onto leads has been a critical failing of the Nashville Predators this season, and while tonight's 3-2 win in Detroit will be hailed as a workmanlike team triumph, this one has to be counted as a fortunate escape. After assuming a 2-0 lead early in the 2nd period, the Preds were outshot 28-8 the rest of the way by the Red Wings. When they had a 4-minute power play and the chance to extend that lead, instead they gave up a shorthanded goal to Pavel Datsyuk to keep things close.

That's not putting your opponent away, that's hanging on for dear life!

That said, "two points is two points", and the Predators will happily put those in the books, thanks in large part to Anders Lindback, who stopped 35 of 37 Red Wings shots.

Follow after the jump for video highlights, reaction, and of course, your advanced even-strength stats...

The Preds' next home game is Saturday against Tomas Vokoun and the Florida Panthers. Take the OtF discount and save $8-24 each on your Nashville Predators tickets for that game, or look through the schedule and buy some as a Christmas present!

First, the video highlights and Predators vs Red Wings boxscore:

Some stray thoughts:

• Was that first goal ever a thing of beauty or what? Incredible patience by O'Reilly to draw the attention of the Detroit defense before feeding Colin Wilson in front.
• Anders Lindback almost reminds me of an old-time stand-up goalie the way he maintains position after an initial save. He just focuses on making himself large and taking as much of the net away as possible. Given his frame, that's usually a good idea.
• Lots of people complain about the way the Preds dump & chase on the power play, but that shorthanded goal by Datsyuk serves as a great example of why it's a necessary tactic. The Red Wings stood up along the blueline and when Bouillon's entry was foiled, it led to an odd-man rush the other way. They nearly did the same thing again when Goc carried it right into trouble shortly afterward.
• Kevin Klein's been a big target for criticism these days, so give him full marks for sweeping a sure goal off the line and under Lindback in the 2nd period.
• As J.P. Dumont came down on that 2-on-1 with Klein in the 3rd period, it brought to mind a huge goal he scored against San Jose in the 2006 playoffs. In my head I was screaming "shoot that puck!" and sure enough, he did. Too many puck carriers in that situation look for the pass above all else.
• That said, I can't say I was thrilled by J.P.'s skating tonight. He seemed especially slow. Klein just blew by him to jump into that rush.
• You have to be concerned about David Legwand leaving the game in the 2nd period and not returning.
• The penalty killing crew was outstanding once again, turning aside all four Detroit PP's.
• Faceoffs, which were such a problem in Atlanta, were solid, as Nashville won 53%, led by Jerrred Smithson's 12-for-17.
• We've been keeping an eye on ice time lately, and while we know that J.P.'s been in the doghouse for a while (7:23), what's going on with Patric Hornqvist? Just 9:55 for him, but he is getting primary work on the power play.

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