NHL Playoffs 2012: Key Takeaways for the Detroit Red Wings Following Game 1

With Game 1 in the books, Nashville can start crossing games off the chalkboard on their sojourn to Stanleytown. They made the most of their opportunities and held off a heavy Detroit attack. Their goalie, Pekka Rinne, was every bit the keeper he needed—and was expected—to be. The defense was stout and kept the Wings at bay for most of the game.

Hold your catfish, Nashville. If you watched all 60 minutes and the minutes that followed the game, you may have noticed Shea Weber using Henrik Zetterberg's head the way a WWE "wrestler" might slam an opponent's head into a turnbuckle. Shea Weber shouldn't answer his phone for the next 10 days or so. Mr. Shanahan and the league office will probably have some issues with not one, but two shots to Zetterberg's head. With NHL overlord Gary Bettman in attendance, Weber's extracurriculars were ill-timed.

The Red Wings failed to win away from home against a team and a crowd that were amped up to play them. Is anyone really surprised? With discipline probable against Nashville's captain, Detroit has a good bit of momentum of their own. Outgunning Nashville in every significant category except goals scored and takeaways, Detroit was unlucky to lose a very even matchup.

Of note specifically, were Detroit's special teams. The power play looked dangerous all night and the penalty killing unit was effective killing off six power plays, including a five on three in the first period. Detroit's special teams were inconsistent during the regular season, so hopefully it can build on the success of Game 1.

Given that Detroit and Nashville were the two least penalized teams in the NHL during the regular season, I wouldn't expect the same number of special team's opportunities in the rest of the series. With their boss sitting in the crowd, the referees were a little quick on the whistle for both sides. Weber's assault at the end of the game, though, should probably earn him more than the token "roughing" call at the end of the game.

Nashville's 10 leading regular season scorers were completely absent from the score sheet, save for a secondary assist by Patric Hornqvist on the third goal. Meanwhile, Detroit's top forwards were constantly putting pressure on the Nashville goal. Datsyuk played his usual role as a setup man and could have easily had a couple of assists if not for Rinne's stellar play.

Goal number two was a fluky deflection and goal number three was a preventable defensive breakdown by Kyle Quincey. Jimmy Howard was on his game for most of the night, but his counterpart at the other end was required to make the spectacular saves to keep Nashville ahead.

With 36 hours to digest everything that happened in Game 1, we should expect an even more focused, more intense Red Wings effort. Game 1 ended on a note that may have awakened a very talented, potentially dominant sleeping giant in Detroit. While Weber waits for his phone call, the Detroit Red Wings can't wait to get back on the ice.

Follow Rob Kirk on Twitter @theRobKirk