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Predators seek first postseason road win

Apr 18, 2008 - 1:25 PM Nashville at Detroit 7:30 pm EDT Western Conference quarterfinals Series tied, 2-2

DETROIT (Ticker) - The Nashville Predators need to put their dismal postseason history on the road behind them if they plan on taking a surprising lead in the Western Conference quarterfinals.

After claiming a pair of wins at home to even their best-of-seven series against top-seeded Detroit at two games apiece, the eighth-seeded Predators will try to forge a three-games-to-two edge in Game Five.

Dan Hamhuis and Shea Weber scored 32 seconds apart early in the first period and fellow defenseman Greg de Vries netted the eventual game-winner 6 1/2 minutes into the second as Nashville tied the series with a 3-2 victory over the Red Wings on Wednesday.

"Our confidence level is improving and we're gaining a little momentum," said Predators goalie Dan Ellis, who made 39 saves on Wednesday. "We believe in ourselves a lot more. We're in this series and believe that we're just as good as Detroit. We're going to battle this one all the way to the end."

However, Nashville owns an 0-9 record away from home in the postseason.

"Being down 0-2 is very difficult, so we needed to get it back on even ground and make it a best-of-three, and we've done that part," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "Now we need to focus on winning a road game since we have not done that yet."

Nashville has had limited success against the Red Wings this season, posting a 3-3-2 record against its Central Division rivals during the regular season, but managed just one win in four trips to Detroit.

"It is the position we wanted to be in," Hamhuis said. "It's great to be on even ground, and now it becomes a three-game series with the momentum on our side.

"Going into Detroit, it is a very difficult building to play in. We know we've had success in that building in years past, and this season. We know we need to win one on the road to win the series."

Pavel Datsyuk netted both goals in Game Four for the Red Wings, who pulled Dominik Hasek after the six-time Vezina Trophy winner allowed three goals on just 14 shots.

"Very disappointing," Hasek said. "Last 60 minutes, worst hockey I've played in my life. I have nothing to say about it. I feel very bad about myself."