Red Wings 3 - 4 Predators
Final
  for this game

Red Wings and Preds battle in Music City

Dec 15, 2011 - 4:11 PM (Sports Network) - The Detroit Red Wings and Nashville Predators both seek a fourth straight victory this evening as the two Central Division rivals get together at Bridgestone Arena.

The Red Wings have won eight of their last 10 games and are coming off Tuesday's 4-1 victory over a Pittsburgh Penguins club that was minus Sidney Crosby. Detroit took full advantage, getting a pair of tallies from Danny Cleary in a three-goal third period to pull away.

Johan Franzen also scored in the final frame and Pavel Datsyuk added a goal and an assist. Jimmy Howard ended with 25 saves, stopping all 20 shots faced in the final two frames.

"We're playing well," said Howard. "We're keeping it simple and we're in the right spots out there."

Nashville is on its longest win streak of the season and has taken the first two of a four-game homestand. The Preds won a close game over the Flames on Tuesday, notching a 2-1 decision.

Matt Halischuk scored in the first period and Colin Wilson netted the game- winner on the power play in the third frame after the Flames tied it in the second. Pekka Rinne ended with 35 saves.

"They played a strong game but I thought we had one of the better games of the season," said Rinne.

Nashville moved to 11-1-2 this year when holding its opponents to two goals or less.

The Predators won four of six versus the Red Wings a season ago, but Detroit took the first meeting between the clubs this season at home on Nov. 26.

Valtteri Filppula scored twice in that win and notched an assist, Cleary also had a goal and Howard posted 18 saves in the 4-1 triumph.

Rinne allowed all four goals on 37 shots and Jack Hillen had a late goal for the Preds.






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