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Predators can become first team to reach 100 points

Mar 13, 2007 - 9:48 PM Detroit (43-17-9) at Nashville (46-18-6) 8:00 pm EDT

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- The next several days will go a long way toward determining whether the Nashville Predators finish with the best record in the Western Conference.

Unbeaten in regulation in their last 10 contests, the Predators can become the first team to record 100 points this season when they open a home-and-home series against the Detroit Red Wings.

Having already posted the second-highest point total in franchise history, Nashville is 7-0-3 since February 19 and has a three-point lead over the Red Wings and Anaheim in the West.

Paul Kariya has three goals and four assists in his last five games and sparked Nashville to a 19-1-0 mark when he scores a point this season. He netted his 23rd tally of the campaign in Saturday's 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Red Wings have won three of the five meetings with the Predators thus far, with the home team taking each contest. In addition to Wednesday's rematch, the teams play again March 29 at Nashville.

Tomas Holmstrom recorded a hat trick for Detroit in a 4-3 overtime loss to Nashville on February 24. However, Johan Franzen netted the shootout clincher as the Red Wings gained some revenge in a 4-3 shootout triumph last Tuesday.

Detroit went 7-0-3 since February 14 until Sunday's 6-3 defeat to the Boston Bruins. Jiri Hudler had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings, who have given up 26 tallies in eight games.