(Sports Network) - The Detroit Red Wings will try to jump ahead of Nashville for the Western Conference lead this evening, when they invite the Predators to Joe Louis Arena for the back end of a home-and-home series.
After the Red Wings earned a decisive win in the opener of this set on Tuesday, Nashville is now just one point ahead of Detroit for first place in both the Central Division and the conference standings.
Kyle Calder was the star for the Red Wings in the opener, as he posted a goal and two assists in the 5-2 triumph at Gaylord Entertainment Center.
Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler and Robert Lang each had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings, who have won three of their last four games. Chris Osgood backstopped the victory with 29 saves.
Alexander Radulov and Martin Erat each had a goal for the Predators, who had won two straight before Tuesday's big loss. Tomas Vokoun made 25 saves in the setback.
The Predators were without center Peter Forsberg for the fourth straight game, as the Swedish star continues to recover from an unspecified upper-body injury. Forsberg, who has one goal and five assists in seven games since coming over in a trade with Philadelphia, is not expected to return until at least Saturday's home test against Dallas.
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