Predators even series vs. Red Wings

By JOHN GLENNON • Staff Writer (Tennessean) • April 16, 2008 Read Comments(16)Recommend (9)Print this page E-mail this article Share this article: Del.icio.us Facebook Digg Reddit Newsvine What’s this? Only days after stumbling out of Detroit on the heels of back-to-back losses, the Predators will go flying back into Motown with all kinds of momentum. The Predators saw to that on Wednesday, completing a two-game home sweep of the Red Wings and climbing right back into this Western Conference quarterfinal series. Nashville’s 3-2 victory, produced in front of another electric sellout crowd at Sommet Center, squared the best-of-seven series at 2-2 and turned Friday’s Game 5 into a pivotal one. “It feels outstanding, coming back from a series when it looked like we were down and out,’’ Predators goalie Dan Ellis said. “We battled back in front of the home crowd and used them as an energy boost. We believe in ourselves.’’ In order to grab a series lead, the Predators will have win a road playoff game, something Nashville has yet to do in nine attempts over four seasons. “Detroit’s a hard building to win in, but we’ve had success there in the past,’’ Ellis said. “We know we need a win on the road to win this series.’’ All three Predators’ goals were scored by defensemen — Dan Hamhuis, Shea Weber and Greg de Vries — as Nashville took an early lead and chased Dominik Hasek from the net for a second straight game. De Vries’ goal was a critical one, as it came just 11 seconds after the first of Pavel Datsyuk’s two goals cut Nashville’s lead to 2-1 early in the second period. The Wings wound up throwing 41 shots on the Nashville net, but Ellis, making just his fourth career playoff start, turned away 39 in a strong performance. “The first two games of this series were so close — we knew we were right there,’’ Weber said. “It’s going to be a battle now for the rest of the series.’’