DETROIT -- The dynamic duo strikes again.
With the game tied in the third period and an upset in the works, Pavel Datsyuk created a turnover and found Henrik Zetterberg in the slot for a perfect one-timer that turned into the winning goal at 6:54 of the third period.
Zetterberg added an empty-netter as the Detroit Red Wings rolled past the Nashville Predators 3-1 before an energetic crowd of 20,066 at Joe Louis Arena last night to take a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference quarter-final.
"It hit the (linesman) and we got a little lucky there. (Datsyuk) got it and made a great pass to me," said Zetterberg, who added an empty-netter with 18.2 seconds left in regulation. "(The shot) got over his pad and it was nice to see that go in.
"We have good chemistry and (Datsyuk) does a tremendous job for us. I don't think he gets enough credit because he creates a lot of room for us and it allows us to make the right plays."
Game 2 goes at 2 p.m. tomorrow before the series shifts to Music City.
The winning goal proved to be controversial, since Predators head coach Barry Trotz thought the play was offside.
A clearing attempt by Predators defenceman Shea Weber went off the elbow of a linesman, who Trotz said was outside the blue-line, before bouncing back into the zone and onto the stick of Datsyuk.
"I looked at it again on replay and it looked pretty clear," said Trotz. "Usually in that situation, the linesmen or referees blow that (down) to not give an unfair advantage to a team.
"That's what happens sometimes."
What almost happened was Predators goalie Dan Ellis finding a way to steal the opener with his brilliant play between the pipes.
Ellis, who led the NHL in save percentage this season, showed no signs of nerves in his first Stanley Cup playoff start but gave credit to the Red Wings afterward.
"They're a very well-rounded team, they've got a little bit of everything," said Ellis, who finished with 37 saves. "They've won that many games for a reason, it's because they're a well-tuned machine.
GRIND THIS OUT
"We're down 1-0 in the series and it's really not that big of a deal. Our guys do have that resiliency and that character, we're going to grind this thing out. What we have in this room is good enough to win against any team in the league."
Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock said he wasn't frustrated in the least that his club outshot its opponent badly before pulling away in the third period.
"Not at all, winning is never frustrating," said Babcock. "It's fantastic. The first one is the toughest one to get."
Johan Franzen had the other goal for the Red Wings, while Jordin Tootoo had the lone marker for the Predators.
"It's always great to chip in as a grinder-type player," said Tootoo, a former Wheat Kings star who scored his first Stanley Cup playoff goal in 13 games. "We're going to need everyone, from our top line to our fourth-liners. That's how you win playoff games."
