Predators clip Wings in 5

Red Wings 1 Predators 2

It was a game the Detroit Red Wings had to have.

They just didn’t have it.

The Wings never seemed to get untracked against a Predators team that boasts the NHL’s best defense tandem and one of the best goaltenders on the planet.

Watching this series unfold over the course of the last nine days, it was clear that the Wings were in over their heads. Nashville opened the scoring 6:59 into the series and never looked back.

That goal came off the stick of Paul Gaustad. Okay, technically it came off the skate of Brad Stuart, but let’s not be picky here.

Gaustad, who was acquired to do exactly what he did in this series: win face-offs. Gaustad was a sparkling 55.2% from the dot, including several key late game defensive zone wins.

Gaustad, who the Predators acquired for their 2012 first round pick.

Gaustad, who the Wings could have acquired for their own first pick.

They were neither willing nor able to pay such a steep price for Gaustad. Not willing because Detroit’s general manager Ken Holland felt the price was too steep to pay for a third or fourth line center. Not able because they had already sent their first round pick south to the Lightning in exchange for Kyle Quincey.

Kyle Quincey, who was victimized by David Legwand for the Predators first goal of the game.

Kyle Quincey, who was -2 in the series and played the least of any of the Wings defensemen.

Kyle Quincey, who might have played his way out of a contract extension with the Wings.

With Nik Kronwall, Ian White, Jonathan Ericsson, Jakub Kindl and Brendan Smith all under contract, another year out of Nick Lidstrom a possibility and the need to add a top 2 defenseman like a Ryan Suter, there isn’t a place for Quincey in Detroit.

I believe in the core of the Red Wings. Players like Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Kronwall and Lidstrom should he return form a solid nucleus. Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler, Johan Franzen and Jimmy Howard are very strong supporting players. There should be an infusion of fresh talent next year with guys like Brendan Smith and Gustav Nyquist knocking down the door for a spot.

But still, this team needs something. Some kind of change needs to be made. The top four D aren’t good enough. Neither are the top 6 forwards. The team’s depth overall needs to be improved. Nashville could roll four lines and three D pairs, the Wings couldn’t.

It should be an interesting and exciting offseason with all the money Ken Holland has to spend towards the cap.

Here’s hoping the next time Holland makes a deal, it’s more of a Gaustad and less of a Quincey.

The Off Wing View’s Three Stars

3. Alexander Radulov

2. Pekka Rinne

1. David Legwand