The Predators had a sense that Alexander Radulov would eventually be a factor in this series.
Although the forward's one assist didn't lead to a victory, Nashville believes his line with Andrei Kostitsyn and David Legwand could provide a difference as the series moves on.
"Today they did everything in unity," Coach Barry Trotz said. "There was great unity on that line in terms of supporting the puck offensively."
Radulov set up Kostitsyn for his goal midway through the second period. He also had several chances, including one on the power play in the first period, and another on a 2-on-1 in the third period where he shot the puck wide.
Kostitsyn also hit a goalpost late in the third period with the Red Wings ahead 3-2.
"My line played better today because they understand coaches and guys in the locker room were waiting for us to step up," Radulov said. "Today, we played good as a group and we helped each other."
Trotz seemed to believe that the 6-foot, 214-pound Kostitsyn could wear on the Red Wings with his big, physical game.
"Andrei Kostitsyn was an absolute bull. I think he's going to be a factor in this series, just as I think Radulov is," Trotz said. "I thought they were separating people from pucks, they were keeping plays alive, they were putting a lot of heat on them and that's what that line needs to do for us."
Gill not ready: It was tough to detect any foot or leg problem with Predators defenseman Hal Gill as he talked with reporters for the first time since he suffered his lower body injury.
Gill, who was hit by a shot in the April 5 game against Dallas, hasn't played since.
"There's being tough and then there's too much pride, and at this point it would be too much pride to play," Gill said before Game 2. "We have good players and we can win with them."
Gill said he would travel with the Predators to Detroit for Games 3 and 4, but wasn't sure of his status for Game 3.
Depth line shifts: In Game 1, Nashville's third and fourth lines provided goals and a spark. In Game 2, Detroit's bottom two units went to work.
Cory Emmerton scored a goal and finished a plus-2. Drew Miller notched an assist, and Gustav Nyquist was a plus-1 in his playoff debut in place of the injured Darren Helm (forearm laceration).
"I thought they did good things. They were on for our first two goals, which were really important," Detroit Coach Mike Babcock said. "Their third line got three goals for them the first night. Our group did it tonight, so that's a real positive sort of thing."
Blocked shots: In the playoffs, stats like blocked shots matter more than they do in the regular season.
Detroit got down and dirty in Game 2, with 16 blocked shots to Nashville's 10. Some of it may have had to do with the Predators' six power plays. Still, the Wings took pride in the numbers.
"We've been doing a great job blocking shots. Those aren't muffins coming in from up top there either," goaltender Jimmy Howard said. "Guys are standing in there taking them; but I've got to tip my hat to the guys in front of me."
Record low: The Predators held the Red Wings to 17 shots in Game 2, marking Detroit's lowest total ever against Nashville.
The Red Wings' previous low against the Predators during a regular-season game had been 21, and the previous low against them in the playoffs had been 26.
"We didn't give them a lot of room, a lot of chances," goalie Pekka Rinne said. "I thought overall, we played a lot better game. … It does feel a little frustrating after that kind of effort."
Quick turnaround: What looked like a possible scoring opportunity for the Predators actually turned into Detroit's second goal.
With about 41/2 minutes left in the second period, defenseman Kevin Klein spun while in the Detroit zone and fired the puck toward the net.
But Emmerton blocked the shot, took off on a two-on-one break in the other direction and finished the play by whipping a high shot past Rinne.
"You have to manage the puck right then and there," Trotz said. "If it's going to get blocked, it has to go in the corner. It has to get by that first defender to give yourself a chance."
Momentum swing: After the Predators pulled within 2-1 on Andrei Kostitsyn's goal with 10:59 remaining in the second period, Detroit's Johan Franzen countered by tipping in Brad Stuart's shot 56 seconds later.
Franzen called it "a lucky bounce off my leg," and said it was important to reclaim momentum.
"It was good to answer right away," he said. "It's always huge. Otherwise they will come with the momentum. We stopped them and took it right back."
Loud crowd: Howard had high praise for Predators fans.
"This building is so tough to play in," he said. "The crowd is so electric. They definitely feed off it. We were able to weather the storm and get on them early. It's tough when you're playing catch-up hockey."
Point prowess: Detroit defenseman Nick Lidstrom doesn't have a point in this series, but his next one will be a big one.
Lidstrom currently has 183 playoff points, just one point shy of tying Hockey Hall of Famer Bryan Trottier for 10th on the all-time postseason list.
Join Free Press special writer Nick Meyer for a live blog of Game 3 of the Red Wings-Predators series at freep.com/sports. Contributing: David Climer.
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