Predators 4 - 1 Red Wings
Final
  for this game

Rinne, Predators handle Red Wings

Mar 31, 2012 - 4:05 AM Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Pekka Rinne made 31 saves, including 17 in the second period, to backstop the visiting Nashville Predators to an historic 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Alexander Radulov registered a goal and set up another for the Predators, who have won three of their last four games.

Barry Trotz, the Predators' only head coach in franchise history, notched his 500th career win.

"It's good for our franchise," said Trotz. "It sorta says that we've arrived a little bit. That's one milestone and hopefully we've got a lot more."

Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard stopped 23 shots in his first outing since March 19. He had missed the last four games with a groin injury.

The Red Wings have dropped two straight and eight of 10 overall.

"We've just got to find a good feeling in the locker room and play some good hockey before the playoffs start," said Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg.

While Friday's clash at Joe Louis Arena concluded the season series between Nashville and Detroit, the Central Division foes could see each other again in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Predators moved one point ahead of the Red Wings in the race for the Western Conference's fourth seed and home-ice advantage. Sixth-place Chicago is lurking two points behind Detroit.

Gabriel Bourque and Francis Bouillon put Nashville ahead 2-0 with goals in the second period.

Bourque took Jordin Tootoo's pass from the point and snapped a shot from atop the right circle that beat a screened Howard to the far side at 13:05. Bouillon lit the lamp with 33 seconds remaining.

Radulov drove the net and directed Andrei Kostitsyn's pass from the right corner behind Howard 2:40 into the third period.

Jiri Hudler put Detroit on the board with 3:03 left, but Shea Weber's empty- netter moments later sealed the win.

Game Notes

Nashville and Detroit split the six-game season series...Radulov's goal was his 100th NHL point...Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom was a minus-3.






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