NASHVILLE, Tenn – It was a night of firsts for the Nashville Predators as they opened the 2012 playoffs with a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The win gave the Predators their first ever lead in three playoff matchups with the Red Wings as the club celebrated their first home ice advantage over Detroit.
Nashville’s win was led by 35 saves from Pekka Rinne and a two-goal effort by Gabriel Bourque in his first NHL playoff game. Rinne was outstanding as he made several superb saves to rob Detroit shooters.
In a game filled with solid goaltending it was only fitting the contest’s opening score would come on a fluke goal. With less than seven minutes expired Nashville’s Paul Gaustad swung around from behind the Detroit goal and banked a shot off of Red Wings defender Brad Stuart. The score held up until Henrik Zetterberg picked up an unassisted tally with Nashville’s Roman Josi off the ice for cross-checking.
Bourque would then score his goals consecutively. The first goal came when Bourque deflected a shot by Matt Halischuk. The rookie winger’s final score came when he converted a perfect feed from Nick Spaling.
Detroit fought back to within a goal when Tomas Holmstrom scored late in the third period off a rebound, but the Red Wings never could register the final goal.
The game ended in controversy as Nashville all-star defenseman Shea Weber was assessed a roughing minor as the game expired. It appeared that Weber took an elbow from Zetterberg during the waning minutes of play, but the young defender responded by driving the Red Wings’ head into the end glass at least twice. At first glance it would appear the Predators will be without Weber due to suspension for at least a game.
In other news, Detroit center Darren Helm suffered a serious cut to his arm when he was struck by the skate of Nashville’s Alex Radulov. Helm stayed on the ice for a few seconds before rushing off to seek medical attention. At game’s end it was reported that Helm had undergone surgery to staunch the bleeding and repair the damage.
Contact Tom.Schettino@prohockeynews.com
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