Red Wings-Predators: Series Preview

Update (12:20 PM): Bob Duff writes that McCarty "wasn't counting on playing" when he talked to him this morning. - Matt

Update (12:12 PM): Ansar Khan reports that with Mikael Samuelsson set to play, the final roster spot will go to either Aaron Downey or Darren McCarty. Bruce MacLeod, on the other hand, reported earlier that McCarty would get the nod.

Khan provides projected lines and pairings for Nashville:

Jan Hlavac-Jason Arnott-J.P. Dumont
Martin Erat-Radek Bonk-Alexander Radulov
Vern Fiddler-Scott Nichol-Jerred Smithson
Brandon Bochenski-Rich Peverley-Jordin Tootoo

Dan Hamhuis-Greg de Vries
Ryan Suter-Marek Zidlicky
Greg Zanon-Shea Weber

- Matt

Tonight is Game 1 of "Series E," the Western Conference Quarterfinal between the #1 seed Detroit Red Wings and the #8 seed Nashville Predators.

Playoff History

It is the second time the teams have met in the playoffs. In 2004, the Wings knocked the Predators out of the first round in six games. It was Nashville's first ever trip to the post-season.

2004 series recaps:

Game 1: Wings 3, Predators 1
Game 2: Wings 2, Predators 1
Game 3: Wings 1, Predators 3
Game 4: Wings 0, Predators 3
Game 5: Wings 4, Predators 1
Game 6: Wings 2, Predators 0

Regular Season Series

The eight-game regular season series ended 5-3 in Detroit's favor. The Wings won November 7th (3-2 SO), December 10th (2-1), March 9 (4-3), March 20th (6-3) and March 30th (1-0 OT). The Predators' wins came November 22nd (3-2), February 12th (4-2) and March 15th (3-1).

The Predators

The Predators finished the season 41-32-9 with 91 points. They were just 18-18-2 through December 31st, but a 23-14-7 second half put them in the playoffs. They finished the season with a 5-1-1 flourish after a 3-6-0 stretch.

They clinched a spot when Vancouver lost 2-1 to Edmonton on the third. Their 3-1 loss to Chicago on the 4th locked them in 8th place.

The Predators have a 4-12 post-season record and have yet to win a series. They were bounced in five games the past two years in a row by San Jose. This is the organization's fourth playoff series.

Forwards

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