Conference Quarterfinals: #4 Nashville Predators vs. #5 Detroit Red Wings

[JKidd]

Records:

Nashville: 48-26-8 (104 points) Home: 26-10-5 Away: 22-16-3
Detroit: 48-28-6 (102 points) Home: 31-7-3 Away: 17-21-3

Head to Head:
Nov 26th: Wings 4 / Predators 1
Dec 15th: Predators 4 / Wings 3
Dec 26th: Wings 4 / Predators 1
Feb 17th: Wings 2 / Predators 1
Mar 10th: Predators 3 / Wings 2
Mar 30th: Predators 4 / Wings 1
Season series split, 3-3.

Fights:
None

Lineup:
Goaltending: edge Nashville
Scoring: Edge Detroit
Defense: edge Nashville
Coaching: edge Detroit
Grit: win Nashville

Schedule:
Wed, Apr 11 in Nashville 8:00PM ET
Fri, Apr 13 in Nashville 7:30PM ET
Sun, Apr 15 in Detroit 12:00PM ET
Tue, Apr 17 in Detroit 7:30PM ET
*Fri, Apr 20 in Nashville 8:00PM ET
*Sun, Apr 22 in Detroit TBA
*Tue, Apr 24 in Nashville TBA

Prediction:
The Wings an underdog going into the playoffs? This year, yes they are. The Preds added some key pieces at the deadline to really bolster the team, and this is the perfect team to show them off against. Nashville should and can bully the Wings up and down the ice with their far more physical team. It's keeping Datsyuk and Zetterberg in check that will be key in this series. Otherwise, I think Trotz gets the Preds on the physical track, they take advantage of home ice, and let Rinne do what he does. I'll take the Preds in all 7 games.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Detroit is always dangerous in the playoffs and I always wanna see a team like Nashville do well. I wish they didn't draw Detroit.

Wings in 7.

[thruby]

Preds in 7.

[Wadubbin]

I said Preds in 7,but they have to hold serve on home ice.if they lose a game on home ice.they're done...But I would like to see the Preds finally get over the hump,and oust the Wings..I'm way tired of seeing that band of cream puffs advance...

[Isles4life]

Like just about everyone else on this site who isn't a Red Wings fan, I'll be rooting hard for Nashville to pull this one off. This should be a real good series, not necessarily for the hockey fight fans, but I think it'll be very close. Nashville has really built their team to try and make a playoff run this year, but they're going to have a very tall obstacle to start things off. Detroit has shown some weaknesses this year, but this is still the same Red Wings team that has been a Cup contender year after year. Rinne is going to need to be at his best, and I agree that Nashville cannot afford to give up a game at home. If they do, they're toast. And I think that's what will end up happening.

I'll take the Red Wings in 7.

[Broons66]

Preds in 6! They made great trade deadline aquisitions to make a deep run this year! Wings get to hit the links in late April!

[youthattack]

Don't like either team here, but I'm thinking Preds in 7.

[Lindros88]

Predators in 7. I think not having home ice advantage in this series is going to hurt the wings a lot. I wouldn't count them out though. They have too much experience. They could make it to the cup finals for all I know.

[ScottRasner]

Preds in 6.

[canuck2]

Preds all the way to the finals.

[HordiBrusk29]

Definitely rooting for Nashville but I expect Detroit to win. You can never count out the Red Wings come playoff time.

[ProbieRules]

Tough series to call, but I'll go with the Redwings in 7. Detroit PP too much for the Preds to overcome

[lakingsfan19]

Preds in 7. If LA is out, the Preds instantly become the team I will be rooting for.

[bupz91]

Preds pull out a big first round.

in 7

[thepolishkid88]

I look at this series more so based on trends. The Wings are just money come playoff time and the Preds really haven't had much playoff success. This looks like the Preds best chance to knock off the Wings and end their season early, but you can't discount Jimmy Howard and the talent on the Wings roster.

Wings in 7, in what I feel will be the best series of the playoffs.