Red Wings Vs. Predators: Detroit Looks To Even Series In Game 4

Many would argue that the Detroit Red Wings were the better team in two of the first three games of their first-round playoff series against the Nashville Predators. Unfortunately for them, being the better team doesn't mean you will be the winning team, as evidenced by the fact that the Predators are up 2-1 in the series. The Red Wings were only victorious in Game 2, and that day the Predators were really the better team.

Now down 2-1, the Red Wings need a victory in Game 4 or else they will be in serious trouble as the series shifts back to Nashville. The past two years against the San Jose Sharks, the Red Wings fell into 3-0 holes before making it a 3-1 deficit. Last year, they managed to force a Game 7, which they lost, but in 2010 the series only went five games before they were eliminated. Obviously, the Red Wings want to avoid falling into another hole this year.

Much like the series of the past two seasons against the Sharks, the theme of this year's series against the Predators has been one-goal games. Actually, the score was 3-2 in all three games so far. In Game 1, the Red Wings fell behind 3-1 before a late goal made things interesting down the stretch. That was also the case in Game 3. In Game 2, the Red Wings were up 3-1 before the Predators notched a goal to cut into the lead in the third period, but Detroit held on for the win.

On Tuesday, Game 4 will take place in Detroit. If the Red Wings are victorious, they will even the series as it heads back to Nashville for Game 5. If they lose, however, the Red Wings will be facing elimination on Friday.

Coverage of Tuesday's game begins at 7:30 p.m. on Fox Sports Detroit, NBC Sports Network and CBC.

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