A good first game for Detroit, though not without its troubling points. They outshot the Predators 40-20, but allowed far too many lengthy pressure shifts for my taste.
Nashville was a strong third period away from stealing one. Fortunately, they failed to deliver in the final frame.
The Wings will need to find a better way to get pucks past Dan Ellis in Game 2.
More tomorrow.
looked good indeed. honestly, any win but a horribly ugly one is great. i just needed something remotely solid to allow me to have a deep breath of relief in the first game.
too bad i have to watch my games alone! anyone in sabres territory who wants to watch the wings together?
A quick comment: The most bothersome thing about the Wings’ play was Rafalski. My god, I thought he switched jerseys with Lilja or something.
Going into the third was a little nerveracking. Yes, it could have been a totally different outcome if the Preds had played a better third. But, honestly, I think the Red Wings caused them to not have such a great third because of their play. The Wings played a good game, faltering at times, but overall they were great. If they continue to play like that (and we know they’ll get better as they get used to the playoffs) then the series belongs to them. Let’s just hope Nashville’s goal is to win, not to injure.