Red Wings Vs. Predators, 2012 NHL Playoffs Game 2: Detroit Exacts Revenge In 3-2 Win

The Detroit Red Wings had a singular purpose on Friday: get even. After losing Wednesday's opener of their first-round playoff series with the Nashville Predators, the Red Wings needed a win, lest they return to Detroit down by two games. A win is exactly what Detroit got, beating the Predators by a final score of 3-2 and tying up the series at 1-1.

Getting even started with an opening bout between Todd Bertuzzi and Shea Weber. Bertuzzi found Weber in the corner and dropped the gloves less than two minutes into the game. Weber entered the night with a target on his back after an ugly incident in which he punched Henrik Zetterberg in the back of the head and then rammed his melon into the glass. In an indictment of the NHL's player discipline system, Weber received only a $2,500 fine.

Detroit took a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals from Ian White and Cory Emmerton. In the second period, they added another one, as Johan Franzen answered for the Predators' first goal of the game.

The only goal in the third period came from Weber, of all players, when he backhanded the puck into the net with five minutes left to play.

The real star of the night was goalie Jimmy Howard, who helped the Red Wings kill off six Nashville power plays. Howard turned away 24 of 26 shots, including 21 over the final two periods.

On Sunday, the best-of-seven series returns to the Motor City for Game 3.

For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. For more on the Nashville Predators, check out On The Forecheck. For more on the NHL as the playoffs continue, check the SB Nation NHL hub.

Red Wings Vs. Predators, 2012 NHL Playoffs Game 2: Detroit Leads 3-1 After Spirited 2nd Period

After another spirited second period, the Detroit Red Wings lead the Nashville Predators by a score of 3-1. Detroit needs to hold on for one more period to notch this series at 1-1.

Nashville managed just five shots on net in the first period but doubled that number in the second. They had four power play opportunities but failed to score on any of them. Andrei Kostitsyn put the Predators on the board at the nine-minute mark, just as their power play ended.

Less than a minute after Nashville's first goal of the game, Johan Franzen answered for the Red Wings when he had the puck go in off of his knee on a shot by Brad Stuart.

Jimmy Howard stopped nine of 10 shots to preserve a two-goal advantage for his team. Pekka Rinne faced just four shots, stopping three of them.

For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. For more on the Nashville Predators, check out On The Forecheck. For more on the NHL as the playoffs continue, check the SB Nation NHL hub.

Red Wings Vs. Predators, 2012 NHL Playoffs Game 2: Todd Bertuzzi Drops Gloves, Detroit Takes 2-0 Lead In 1st Period

The Detroit Red Wings hit the ice fired up for Game 2 of their playoff series against the Nashville Predators. The Red Wings scored twice in the first period to jump out to a 2-0 lead as they look to even the series after Nashville won the opening game on Wednesday.

Red Wings tough guy Todd Bertuzzi wasted no time seeking out Shea Weber to exact a pound of flesh for the Wings (see below). Weber smashed Henrik Zetterberg's head into the glass after punching him in the back of the head in Game 1. Weber received only a $2,500 fine for his actions. Bertuzzi dropped the gloves a minute and a half into the game.

Winning is the best revenge of all, and Detroit scored twice in the period to build an early lead over the Predators. Ian White put a long wrister into the back of the net right before the nine-minute mark. White was assisted by Tomas Holmstrom and Drew Miller. With less than four minutes to play in the first period, Cory Emmerton scored an unassisted goal to make it 2-0.

Jimmy Howard stopped all five Nashville shots on goal. Predators goalie Pekka Rinne stopped six of eight shots.

Check out Cory Emmerton's goal here.

For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. For more on the Nashville Predators, check out On The Forecheck. For more on the NHL as the playoffs continue, check the SB Nation NHL hub.

2012 NHL Playoffs: Red Wings' Gustav Nyquist Will Make Playoff Debut In Game 2; Hal Gill Out Again For Predators

Red Wings rookie Gustav Nyquist will make his NHL playoff debut in place of injured forward Darren Helm, who underwent season-ending surgery to repair torn tendons in his right forearm, according to Ansar Khan of MLive.com.

Nyquist had a goal and six assists in 18 games during the regular season.

"Helm's out and you can't really replace a guy like him,'' Nyquist said. "I just got to play my game, get in on the forecheck, get some speed and bring some energy.''

Predators defenseman Hal Gill tested his lower-body injury in a skate-around Friday morning but will not return for Game 2. Via the Associated Press:

"I’m going to give it some more time," Gill said. "I don’t think at this point I can help the team. We have some good players that could play so I’ll let them go."

Nashville coach Barry Trotz said he would warm up seven defensemen again before deciding on a replacement for Gill. Ryan Ellis could be a possibility to make his postseason debut to help a power play that went 0 of 6 in Nashville’s opening win.

Gill has played the second-most postseason games of any active NHL defenseman.

Nashville won Game 1, 3-2.

For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. For more on the Nashville Predators, check out On The Forecheck. For more on the NHL as the playoffs continue, check the SB Nation NHL hub.

2012 NHL Playoffs, Predators Vs. Red Wings Game 2: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The Red Wings couldn't hold on against the Predators in the first game of their series on Wednesday, as they fell 3-2 in Nashville. Even worse, Darren Helm was knocked out with an injury, depleting a bit of the Wings' depth. Also, Shea Weber wasn't suspended for a fairly dirty hit on Henrik Zetterberg after the final horn had blown.

The Wings can put all that behind them and also take home-ice advantage away from the Preds if they can scratch out a victory on Friday at Bridgestone Arena.

Matchup: No. 4 Nashville Predators vs. No. 5 Detroit Red Wings

Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

TV: Fox Sports Detroit, CNBC, CBC

Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET

For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. For more on the Nashville Predators, head over to On The Forecheck. For more on the NHL as the playoffs begin, go to the main SB Nation NHL hub.

Red Wings Vs. Predators: Detroit Looks To Hit Back After Game 1 Loss To Nashville

The Red Wings will face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their Stanley Cup playoff series on Friday. Detroit lost the first game 3-2 in Nashville.