After almost giving up another two goal lead, the Detroit Red Wings held on to beat the Nashville Predators 4-2.
Detroit’s Jason Williams opened scoring almost 19 minutes into his return from a broken leg.
Nashville’s Francis Bouillon tied the game just before the first intermission. In the second Nicklas Lidstrom and Drew Miller gave the Wings a two goal advantage. Shea Weber brought the Predators within one, but Henrik Zetterberg put the game to 4-2.
The Wings came real close to giving up their first two goal lead, in fact it was just inches away when one of Nashville’s players hit the crossbar on a wide open net. After that, however, the Wings played with much more poise and managed to grab another insurance goal.
Darren Helm made a fool of himself at the start of the third period when he went out onto the ice with his blade guards still on and fell as soon as his skate touched the ice. After the game, while laughing, Helm told In Play, “I change my skates and I’m usually pretty good about taking the guards off. By the time I realized I hadn’t taken them off, I’d already jumped out of the door and couldn’t stop myself.”
In Play! Man of the Game: Drew Miller.
Miller played tonight like his future with the Wings was on the line, which it is. The team needs to clear cap space because of guys coming back from injury. Miller had a goal and an assist and made the most of his ice time tonight. Jason Williams looked strong in his return as well.
ADDED BONUS.
Post game audio with Lidstrom, Howard and Babcock.
