Western Conference Quarter Finals Preview: Predators vs. Red Wings

If you haven't followed the NHL all season you would think that this series is a given that Detroit would waltz right out of the first round with no problem. However, this is not your father's Nashville Predators hockey team.

#4 Nashville Predators vs. #5 Detroit Redwings

Game 1: At Nashville April 13 7:30PM EDT-CNBC

Game 2: At Nashville April 15 12:00PM EDT-CNBC

Game 3: At Detroit April 17 7:30PM EDT-NBC

Game 4: At Detroit April 20 8:00PM EDT-NBCSN

* Game 5: At Nashville 8:00PM EDT-CNBC

*Game 6: At Detroit TBD

*Game 7: At Nashville TBD

From names alone, Detroit should have no problem making it out of the first round, but they will.

Forwards

The Preds added Paul Guastad and Andre Kostitsyn at the deadline, and Alexander Radulov came back from Russia to play some real hockey. The Preds are poised to make a run this year, but it's just too bad they face the Wings in the first round.

Don't need to say too much about the Wings forwards with guys like Datsyuk and Zetterberg, who've been the distance before and know how to get it done come crunch time. Add in Valtteri Fippula and Johan Franzen, and the depth of the Wings up front is scary, and give them the edge in this department.

Defenseman

Shea Weber and Ryan Suter could be the difference makers in this series, especially if Nicklas Lidstrom is out. If Lidstrom is in, then this is a different series. Given Lidstrom's status, even if he is back, we are going to give the edge to the Preds

Goalies

Pekka Rinne (43-18-8, 2.39 GAA, .923 SV%) vs. Jimmy Howard (35-17-4, 2.13 GAA, .920 SV%). Rinne gets the edge because he had a stellar season and can steal a few games in this series.

POFA's Prediction

The Preds moves at the deadline will pay off. Even if Lidstrom can go, he will be limited and the Preds will find ways to score enough goals to give Rinne a chance.  Preds in 7.