NHL Playoffs 2012: 10 Important Players in the Predators vs. Red Wings Series

The time to speculate is coming to a close. The puck drops tonight on a Nashville-Detroit playoff series that could be one of the best in the NHL playoffs and have significant ramifications for both teams.

The Wings enter the series as the grizzled, "been there done that" veteran team that has sparkled for portions of the season. The Predators will play the role of Central Division "little brother" who got one up on Detroit during the regular season, and are looking to prove that their fourth-place finish was no fluke.

While I would argue with anyone that the playoff seeding was due more to the Red Wings' late-season indifference than the Predators' dominance, there is no question Nashville enters this series as the favorite.

Are the Red Wings really underdogs in a first-round playoff matchup? Injuries and inconsistent play ravaged the roster in February and March, and Detroit's position in the West dropped before settling in as the fifth seed.

Nashville, meanwhile has put together another another impressive season, which saw it hit 100 points for the third time in six years. The Predators are no fluke though.

They have built this team up through great drafting and savvy, subtle trades and free-agent signings. The Predators rarely grab the headlines or highlights with their style of play, but coach Barry Trotz, the only coach in the Preds history, prefers it that way. The stars on the Predators exist in the defensive end of the ice in goalie Pekka Rinne, and defensemen Shea Weber and Ryan Suter.

The biggest question mark going into the series opener tonight is: Which Detroit team will show up for the playoffs?

When firing on all cylinders, the Red Wings can appear to be on the power play while playing at even strength. The precision passing and pinpoint sniping can leave teams scratching their heads. However, Detroit showed some lapses in focus during the final two months of the season that other teams capitalized on.

Either goalie can steal a game or two, but Rinne has been slightly sharper than the Wings' Jimmy Howard lately.

The puck officially drops at 8 p.m. tonight, and all the what ifs and maybes go out the window. This series promises to be a high-energy, intense matchup of division rivals, with the loser of the series facing major offseason roster questions. Here are the top 10 players to watch in the series.

Martin Erat

The Czech winger has had another solid year leading the Predators in scoring with 58 points. While his point totals won't win him any scoring titles, Erat is one of the more creative players on the Nashville bench. He seems to enjoy playing against the Red Wings especially, as his style of play is very similar to Detroit's.

In the scoring-by-committee philosophy of Nashville, Erat is probably their most accomplished playmaker. On the Preds' first line with Mike Fisher and Sergei Kostitsyn, Nik Lidstrom will be called on to neutralize the Nashville trio.

Patric Hornqvist

Hornqvist led all Nashville players in goals with 27. That's not a spectacular total by any means, but he plays within the Predators system perfectly and capitalizes on his opportunities.

Hornqvist has been known to play a style very much like Detroit's own Tomas Holmstrom, parking himself in front of the net on power plays and just irritating goalies in general.

Jimmy Howard will probably need to pick up some colorful Swedish words from his teammates as Hornqvist will probably be making neighborly visits to the Red Wings crease.

Johan Franzen

The "Mule," as he is called, will need to turn in one of his epic playoff performances if he wants to see the second round or beyond.

It's hard to believe he scored 29 goals this year, when his play often seems so uninspired. He is one of the most skilled players on the ice, but seems to show it on his own terms.

He reminds me of Sergei Fedorov the way he can dominate a game on one night, and almost completely disappear the next. His goal scoring and physical presence are crucial for Red Wings' success.

Jordin Tootoo

If Kirk Maltby was shorter and would actually have fought anyone, he would be Jordin Tootoo.

Pesky personified is Tootoo's game.

He skates hard and hits everything on the ice. He can pick up a timely goal and will drop the gloves with anyone. He has always been a thorn in Detroit's side, and the Wings will know when he is on the ice at all times.

Henrik Zetterberg

The Wings' second-line center led the team in scoring playing between Val Filppula and Jiri Hudler this season. While Z is often paired with his buddy Datsyuk on the power play, Coach Babcock tries to spread the offense by mixing Zetterberg in with others too.

Zetterberg is usually counted on to neutralize the other team's top offensive line because of his defensive strength and faceoff skills, so look to see him hit the ice when Martin Erat or Alex Radulov jump over the boards.

Val Filppula

In a remarkable breakout season, all Red Wing fans are hoping that the slippery Fin's stats are a sign of things to come.

While scoring traditionally dips in the playoffs, Filppula's increased role on the Red Wings carries a good bit of leverage on Detroit's chances for success.

Filppula is a slick-handling setup man who has shown he can light the lamp as well. Four of his 23 goals have come at Nashville's expense. Staying responsible at both ends of the ice has also been a strength for the converted winger.

Shea Weber

Weber's booming shot and physical presence on the ice make him one of the most feared defensemen in the league.

When Detroit's top lines hit the ice, expect to see Weber out there as well. The Preds captain will be looking to inspire his crew for their first series win over Detroit with his play and with his veteran presence.

His point position on the Nashville power play might get him on the scoreboard, but his greatest value to the Preds is in the corners and clearing Rinne's view in front of the net.

Jimmy Howard

Howard finished the season looking really strong after coming back from finger and groin issues in the middle of February. His W-L record doesn't reflect it as much as the 1.66 GAA in the four games to close the season does.

He will be counted on to help withstand Nashville's high-pressure style of play.

While Nashville doesn't scare anyone on paper, their style attacks the net in waves, and it will be throwing pucks at the Red Wing net relentlessly. With Tootoo and Hornqvist on the other side of the ice there will be plenty of bodies for Howard to deal with as well.

Howard can get into Nashville's head with some strong early-series play and potentially steal the series for Detroit. If his injuries are truly behind him, Jimmy Howard can be the most important Red Wing.

Pavel Datsyuk

I'll apologize in advance for using the photo in another article but I absolutely love it. This was Datsyuk's last-second, game-winning goal at the Joe Louis Arena from earlier this year. The Wings would win the game and push their NHL record for consecutive home wins to 22.

Datsyuk has been a catalyst for the Red Wings all year.

Knee surgery in February revealed a sluggish, uninspired team while he was out. When Datsyuk is healthy, which he now appears to be, he is the best player on the ice. He is great in the faceoff circle, an absolute sorcerer with the puck on his stick, and equally sneaky when it comes to taking the puck off opponents.

His scoring and creative playmaking will be key to spark a sluggish late-season offense. His presence on the ice will guarantee that one or both of Nashville's top two defensemen will be out there stalking him.

Pekka Rinne

The hulking Nashville backstop is the single most important Predator on the ice.

He can steal this series with lights-out play or cost the Preds with inconsistency. After a shaky start, Rinne has really brought his game up to Vezina level in the last four months of the season.

The Wings have solved him on occasion, and he has never beaten Detroit in a playoff series. With mental barriers in sports magnified by playoffs, Rinne's mental toughness will be critical if Nashville wants to advance.

Prediction

With the 10 players already mentioned, I feel as though there are a couple more from each roster who will play a key role. Here's a(another) quick list:

Detroit

Darren Helm: How strong is his knee? His strength is speed and forechecking, so the health of his knee will determine his effectiveness.

Jiri Hudler: He's had a nice goal-scoring touch this year. Will he be able to continue in the playoffs?

Nashville

Mike Fisher: Nashville's top centerman, he is a faceoff specialist and has gotten on the score sheet over 50 times for the second time in his career. He's second on the team with 24 goals.

Alexander Radulov: The most significant of Nashville's deadline moves was to entice the young Russian to return to Music City. He has shown more maturity with the same scoring touch of four years ago.

Ryan Suter: The other half of Nashville's dynamic duo on the blue line. Trotz may split them up to counter the Wings' top two scoring lines.

Prediction

I have battled my head and my heart on this series for about a week now. All signs point to Nashville getting its first win over Detroit in the playoffs, but my gut tells me the Wings grind out in a memorable Game 7 win.

Detroit wins 4-3.