Western Quarterfinals Preview 2008

Detroit Red Wings (1) vs Nashville Predators (8)

Records

Detroit: 53-21-7 (113 pts) Home: 28-9-3 Away: 25-12-4
Nashville: 41-32-9 (91 pts) Home: 23-14-4 Away: 18-18-5

Head-to-Head

Nov 7, 2007 – DET 3 NSH 2 (SO)
Nov 22, 2007 – DET 2 NSH 3
Dec 10, 2007 – DET 2 NSH 1
Feb 12, 2008 – DET 2 NSH 4
Mar 9, 2008 – DET 4 NSH 3
Mar 15, 2008 – DET 1 NSH 3
Mar 20, 2008 – DET 6 NSH 3
Mar 30, 2008 – DET 1 NSH 0 (OT)
Detroit won season series 5-3.

Fights

None

Lineup

Goaltending: EDGE Detroit
Scoring: EDGE Detroit
Defense: EDGE Detroit
Coaching: EDGE Detroit
Grit: EDGE Nashville

Schedule

Thurs, April 10, 2008
Sat, April 12, 2008
Mon, April 14, 2008
Wed, April 16, 2008
Fri, April 18, 2008
Sun, April 20, 2008
Tues, April 22, 2008

Prediction

Of all the potential first round match-ups, Detroit probably didn’t want to face a divisional opponent. The Wings were phenomenal playing teams outside of the Central, but Nashville put up a respectable three wins against the best record in the league. There are still questions about Detroit’s goaltending, but can Dan Ellis and Chris Mason do any better? Nashville’s only chance is to crush the Wings forwards without taking too many penalties. Detroit’s offense and defense is too good. Wings in 5 or 6.

David’s Pick

Nashville plays Detroit hard, and for a 1-8 matchup, the Wings don’t look like they’ll blow away the lower seed, but they do look like they can make it to the second round. Wings in 6.