Red Wings @ Predators preview: Can the Preds rise to the challenge?

by Dirk Hoag on Dec 15, 2011 11:16 AM EST in Nashville Predators Game Previews

The Nashville Predators will put their recent success at Bridgestone Arena on the line tonight against their #1 rival, the Detroit Red Wings, who are making their first visit to Smashville this season. When the two teams met in Detroit last month, the Red Wings took a 4-1 decision. The Preds are playing pretty good hockey right now, but can they maintain that level of play, or step it up, against one of the top teams in the league?

Follow after the jump for the breakdown!

The Red Wings are coming! Use the OTF Discount to save on Preds tickets while there's still time!

Tale Of The Tape

Detroit (19-9-1) at Nashville (15-11-4)
DET Offense vs. NSH Defense				NSH Offense vs. DET Defense
5-on-5
	GF/60	SF/60	Shoot %	GA/60	SA/60	Save %
DET Offense	2.9 (3rd)	33.5 (1st)	8.7 (7th)	1.7 (2nd)	26.9 (3rd)	936 (5th)	DET Defense
NSH Defense	2.3 (11th)	31.1 (25th)	925 (8th)	2.1 (24th)	26.0 (28th)	8.2 (17th)	NSH Offense
	GA/60	SA/60	Save %	GF/60	SF/60	Shoot %
Special Teams
DET PP vs. NSH PK				NSH PP vs. DET PK
	GF/60	SF/60	Shoot %	GA/60	SA/60	Save %
DET 5-on-4	6.8 (7th)	56.4 (4th)	12.1 (14th)	6.8 (20th)	50.8 (15th)	867 (23rd)	DET 4-on-5
NSH 4-on-5	5.7 (15th)	51.7 (19th)	891 (13th)	7.1 (4th)	52.7 (11th)	13.6 (8th)	NSH 5-on-4
	GA/60	SA/60	Save %	GF/60	SF/60	Shoot %

Hold on to your hats, folks, this will prove to be a real test for how well the Preds have been playing lately. The Red Wings are the 2nd-best 5-on-5 team in the NHL, a situation which governs over 75% of a typical game.

Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are once again cruising along near the top of the Western Conference standings, but along the way they've gone on some noteworthy streaks. Check out the pattern their schedule has taken so far: won 5, lost 6, won 4, lost 2, won 7, lost 2, won 3 heading into tonight.

As always, there are any number of dangerous players to watch out for with Detroit, but this guy is the hottest of the bunch currently, with 7 goals and 13 assists in his last 13 games. He also boasts 54 points in 53 career games against the Preds:

Pavel Datsyuk

#13 / Center / Detroit Red Wings

Height: 5-11

Weight: 194

Born: Jul 20, 1978

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG		SOG	PCT
2011 - Pavel Datsyuk	29	9	21	30	6	8	2	0	2		84	10.7

Winging It In Motown noted that the Wings have called up rookie Tomas Tatar for possible action (he's still not listed as being on the roster, however). He played 9 games with the Wings last season, and as a 2009 2nd-round draft pick, is projected to be yet another in a long line of talented forwards Detroit has cranked out over the years.

Nashville Predators

The Preds have built up a bit of momentum in recent games, controlling the flow of the game more consistently, and scoring at least 2 goals in 6 straight games. With Jonathon Blum and Blake Geoffrion dispatched to Milwaukee in recent days, the lineup appears pretty much set, although I expect we'll see Kyle Wilson dress tonight in favor of Brian McGrattan, as Detroit doesn't engage in the enforcer stuff.

If you're looking for someone who's had some good success against Detroit, Sergei Kostitsyn might be your guy. In 8 career games vs. the Red Wings, he has 4 goals and 3 assists, including one beautiful shorthanded strike:

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Comments

Off topic Preds sighting

Anders in Target last night with friends, No Skittles in the cart. Very nice guy.

by predrock on Dec 15, 2011 12:07 PM EST reply actions

Cool! Which Target? I once saw Vokoun in the Cool Springs store and spoke briefly with him.

by LuvthePreds on Dec 16, 2011 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

Tonite pekka needs to be, well, pekka. Will need a couple unbelievable saves, a hard for check and crash the net.

We always are ready to play the dead things, but I believe we will need to limit their puck possession to have an opportunity to win.

My hockey team is better than your hockey team

by Predator Don on Dec 15, 2011 1:46 PM EST reply actions

I have Detroit friends.

I hope I have to listen to them complain about how “the refs beat them” all night.

Go Preds.

We'll miss you Belak...

Go Predators!

by Poiju on Dec 15, 2011 3:03 PM EST reply actions

Maybe if the refs are wearing gold… ;)

by DonBorvio on Dec 15, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

I still smile when I see that goal

It’s just so beautiful ;-)

Follow @caseyhesson

by Preds of State on Dec 15, 2011 4:02 PM EST reply actions

Home ice hasn't been that good to the Predators so far

and the Wings seem to be on top of their game. Detroit plays great puck possession while the Preds, not so much. If the Wings and Jimmy Howard bring the same game they brought against the Penguins the Predators would seem to have no chance. But that’s why they play the games.

The truth is neither libelous nor slanderous.
Reason and logic instead of hope and faith.
Pro athletes--it's not what they say, it's what they do.
General managers--it's not what they say, it's what they do.

by shoot the puck on Dec 15, 2011 4:27 PM EST reply actions

Can the Preds rise to the challenge?

Yes. Yes they can.

World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer

by cisar on Dec 15, 2011 4:54 PM EST reply actions

They can, and they did!

by LuvthePreds on Dec 16, 2011 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

They can rise to any challenge if they want to. The lack of concentration and lack of playing for three periods have made this first third of the season a challenge for them. But they are NOT lacking in talent and they are expected to use it to full advantage. They can beat anybody. They need more self confidence.

"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles

by amyinsparta on Dec 15, 2011 6:09 PM EST reply actions