Both teams got on the board in the second period with Detroit netting an early period power-play goal and Nashville countering with an even strength goal mid-way through the frame. The Red Wings held the territorial advantage early in the period, but the second half of the period was very even. Nashville played with much more intensity and "jam" after the Halischuk goal put the Preds ahead 2-1.

THREE MUSINGS:
1) Nashville's most consistent play continued to come from the Spaling and Gaustad lines during five-on-five play. Halischuk's goal in the middle of the period ignited the crowd and led the Preds to step up their physical play. Beyond the goal the Spaling and Gaustad lines each drew a power-play opportunity for the Preds during the second period and seem to be much more effective tonight in all phases of the game than the Fisher and Legwand lines. Additionally, Gaustad's been a beast in the faceoff circle, winning 8-of-11 draws through the first two periods.

2) Howard gave up another suspect goal in the second period. He looked unsure on a couple saves late in the first period and then allowed a goal on a wrist shot in transition from just inside the blueline -- granted Bourque was cutting across his vision, but Bourque was around faceoff dot high when the puck passed him. The first period goal by Gaustad --- while not Howard's fault --- was also on a rather non-descript type of play.

3) The first two periods have been much more blue collar and "ugly" than a skilled, creative, skating display. There have been very few odd-man rushes and even fewer pretty passing combinations from either team. Instead the majority of the play has been more board battles, puck retreavals, dump-and-chase attempts. The passing attempts for both teams seemed to be just a hair off -- passes more into skates than tape-to-tape. Its even more surprising given the high number of power-play attempts both teams have garnered.