Predators advance, ousting Red Wings 4-1 in series

By Teresa M. Walker

Associated Press

Published: Friday, April 20 2012 8:40 p.m. MDT

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Nashville Predators forward Alexander Radulov (47), of Russia, scores against Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) in the first period of Game 5 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series on Friday, April 20, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn.

Mark Humphrey, Associated Press

Summary

David Legwand scored 13 seconds into the third period, and the Nashville Predators advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — David Legwand scored 13 seconds into the third period, and the Nashville Predators advanced to the Western Conference semifinals with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night.

The fourth-seeded Predators capped a season in which they finished ahead of their Central Division rival for the first time by beating the Red Wings for the first time in their third playoff series. Nashville made it even sweeter by handing the Red Wings their earliest postseason departure since a six-game first-round loss to Edmonton in 2006.

Legwand added an assist, and Alexander Radulov also had a goal and assist for Nashville. The team that scored first won each game, and that was Nashville again.

Jiri Hudler scored for Detroit, which heads into the summer having lost three straight waiting to see if captain Nicklas Lidstrom has played his last game after 20 seasons.

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