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Predators face Red Wings in possible playoff preview

Mar 15, 2008 - 10:51 AM Nashville (35-29-8) at Detroit (47-18-6) 1:00 pm EDT

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Nashville Predators aim to snap a three-game skid when they visit the Western Conference-leading Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.

Nashville, which battled its Central Division rival for the top spot in the West last season, has not had as much success this season.

The Predators fell, 4-1, at home on Thursday to the lowly Los Angeles Kings, whose 62 points are the fewest in the league. Nashville currently is two points behind Vancouver (35-26-10) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference.

Saturday's contest is a possible playoff preview. Should the Predators reach the postseason for a fourth straight season, they could wind up facing the Red Wings in the conference quarterfinals.

And though its current slide started with a 4-3 loss to Detroit on Sunday, Nashville is 2-2-1 in five meetings between the clubs this season and has outscored the Red Wings, 13-12.

However, breaking into the win column will not be easy. Detroit, which leads the league with 100 points, has found its groove once again and is aiming for its sixth straight win.

All-Star Pavel Datsyuk had two goals and an assist as Detroit clinched the Central Division title Thursday with a 5-3 win over Dallas. Goaltender Dominik Hasek missed Thursday's game with a sore back, meaning All-Star Chris Osgood could get the start against the Predators.