DETROIT — The most disappointing stat of Game 2 for Predators forwards Jason Arnott and J.P. Dumont was this: They totaled more penalties than they did shots on goal.
The two players who finished tied for Nashville's scoring lead during the regular season have been stifled by Detroit's defense through the first two games of the Western Conference quarterfinals.
In Saturday's 4-2 loss, Arnott posted just one shot on goal — his only shot of the series so far — and Dumont mustered only one as well.
Detroit's top line of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom, which again went head-to-head with Nashville's top trio for most of the afternoon, produced a goal and two assists.
Arnott did come close to scoring once, when Dumont's pass across the top of the Detroit crease resulted in a short-range stuff opportunity. But Dominik Hasek turned Arnott away.
"It's frustrating for us that we're not on the scoreboard yet, but we did have a lot more chances than we did in the first game,'' Arnott said. "We've just got to keep our heads up and keep going. We can't get down on ourselves.''
Dumont was called for two roughing penalties, both of which occurred in the offensive zone. The latter penalty negated a Nashville power play late in the second period. Arnott was called for an interference penalty in the neutral zone late in the game.
With the Predators having the option of the final line change in the next two games, they likely will try to keep their top line away from Detroit's top trio, which is usually backed by defensemen Nick Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski.
"I'm sure (Detroit) is going to try to keep it the same way,'' Arnott said. "We'll have the last change. It'll be up to (the coaches) to see who's going.''
Hordichuk gets call: The Predators chose to insert Darcy Hordichuk into the lineup on Saturday following the injury to center Scott Nichol.
Predators Coach Barry Trotz had considered using seven defensemen, but opted to go with Hordichuk, who wound up seeing just 2:14 ice time.
"We needed the forwards and Darcy gives us an element with the physical part of the game,'' Trotz said.
The Predators had also contemplated putting David Legwand back in the lineup, but he missed his 14th straight game because of a bone bruise on his foot. Trotz said Legwand was day-to-day.
Rebounds, rebounds: Predators goalie Dan Ellis led the league in save percentage this season but at times allows some juicy rebounds.
Detroit forward Darren McCarty scored during just one situation on Saturday, following up Dallas Drake's shot to tap in an easy rebound.
"He's doing a good job but sometimes he gives up the rebounds,'' Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek said. "We are talking about it … It's very important to create traffic in front of him and it's possible he gives up more rebounds.''
Rinne ties record: Milwaukee Admirals goalie Pekka Rinne tied a franchise record on Saturday when he recorded his 36th victory of the season.
Rinne stopped 21 of 23 shots in a 3-2 victory for Nashville's top minor league affiliate, which has clinched an American Hockey League playoff berth.
Prospects play for title: Two Predators prospects played for the NCAA hockey championship on Saturday.
Forward Ryan Thang, a third-round pick of the Preds last summer, and forward Ben Ryan, a fourth-round '07 pick, both suited up for Notre Dame.
The Irish met Boston College for the title Saturday night.
Thang was Notre Dame's second-leading scorer this season, with 32 points (18 goals, 14 assists) in 46 games. Ryan was the fourth-leading scorer, with 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 46 games.
From The Tennessean
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