NHL Playoffs 2012: How the Detroit Red Wings Can Turn Their Postseason Around

After losing 3-2 to the Nashville Predators today, the Detroit Red Wings trail the series 2-1. On Tuesday, they'll look to improve on their Game 1 and 3 losses in Detroit.

While a one game difference is not impossible to overcome, it's not as easy as going into Game 4 with three wins under your belt. If the Red Wings want anything like the 07-08 season, there are several areas they must improve in upcoming matches against the Predators.

They Must Be More Aggressive in the Offensive Zone

One of the Predators strengths is the counterattack. This is how the Predators scored their third and final goal of the day. When the Red Wings are not hustling for the puck after a missed or blocked shot, Predator defensemen are already on it, moving the puck towards Howard.

This being a fourth- and fifth-seed matchup, these are two pretty evenly matched teams. Detroit's physical prowess on the ice has been lacking the past few games. They were more aggressive later in the game, but we need to be seeing it earlier, rather than later. 

They Must Take Advantage of Power-Play Opportunities

The Red Wings had four power plays, scoring on just one of them. They came close in the waning seconds of the second period, yet time ran just short.

Nashville has been putting players in the penalty box throughout this entire series; these are key scoring moments for Detroit that have not been taking advantage of.

 Let Pavel Datsyuk Shoot During Power Plays

Datsyuk was amazing today. He is the maestro of Detroit's entire team: He can orchestrate the movement of play to his liking so smoothly. He can see the entire ice. He is the heart of the Red Wings. He is their X-Factor player.

If the Red Wings are able to do all of these things in the upcoming games against the Predators, they can turn this series around and keep the playoff hopes alive in Detroit.