The Preds lines at the start of the game (in order of first five-on-five shift)
    Fisher centering Erat and S. Kostitsyn
    Gaustad centering Smith and Yip
    Spaling centering Hornqvist and A. Kostitsyn
    Legwand centering Bourque and Radulov

Defense pairings:
    Suter and Weber
    Josi and Klein
    Bouillon and Ellis


THREE MUSINGS:
What a Shot -- Heck of a play by Legwand on the forecheck to create the game's opening goal, but wow, what a shot by Radulov. The puck was off Radulov's stick seemingly before it even got to his blade ... and was perfectly placed into the upper corner. That play was textbook example why the Preds were so excited to get Radulov back in the fold this season.

Zone Time -- Nashville dominated offensive zone possession time in the first period. Detroit's strength is puck possession and offensive zone time, but the Preds reversed the script on the Wings in the first frame, a big reason why Nashville enjoyed a 10-8 lead in shots on goal --- and 23-13 in shots attempted --- in the first. 

Clearing Plays -- The Preds were near-perfect on defensive zone clears in the first period, misfiring on only one attempt in the frame. And even on that play, Nashville quickly regained possession of the puck and successfully skated the play out of the zone. By contrast, in Game 4, Nashville had seven failed clearing attempts in the first period, including five in the game's first three minutes of play. Puck decisions around the two bluelines has been a point of emphasis for Coach Trotz and staff during practices --- being smart with the puck around the offensive blueline to prevent quick counter attacks and being strong on plays around the defensive blueline to prevent extended opponent pressure.


Added note: Martina McBride performing on the band stage in the Arena during the first intermission. Pretty cool side concert with your playoff ticket!