NHL | Lucky break lifts Wings to 3-1 victory over Nashville

DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings called it fortunate. The Nashville Predators called it questionable.

The end result was a tiebreaking goal by Henrik Zetterberg at 6:54 of the third period that helped Detroit to a 3-1 victory over Nashville on Thursday night in Game 1 of their first-round series.

Officials ruled Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk prevented Shea Weber from clearing the puck, setting up the goal that made it 2-1.

The Predators said the play should've been negated by an offsides call.

Datsyuk made a cross-ice pass from the left circle to perfectly set up Zetterberg's one-timer that hit the back of the net before Dan Ellis could slide over or get his glove on it.

Zetterberg said the puck stayed in the Nashville zone, but did acknowledge getting a break.

"I think it was a lucky bounce," said Zetterberg, who added an empty-net goal with 19 seconds left. "I think it hit the ref and went straight to my stick.

"That's the kind of bounces you need in the playoffs. We had them with us tonight."

Game 2 in the best-of-seven series is Saturday in Detroit.

Dominik Hasek, playing in his 116th playoff game, needed to make just 19 saves for the top-seeded Wings and Ellis stopped 37 shots in his playoff debut.

"Danny gave us a chance to win — plain and simple," Nashville coach Barry Trotz said. "We're going to have to put more pressure on Hasek."

Other games

At Sharks 2, Flames 0

Evgeni Nabokov made 21 saves in his sixth career postseason shutout, and rookie Torrey Mitchell scored a power-play goal to even the series at 1-1.

Joe Pavelski also scored an early goal for the second-seeded Sharks, who outshot the penalty-prone Flames by 43-21.

Stars 4, at Ducks 0

Marty Turco earned his fourth career postseason shutout, and Dallas scored four power-play goals to take Game 1 against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

At Canadiens 4, Bruins 1

Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn scored goals 1:28 apart in the opening minutes of their playoff debuts, and Montreal won Game 1 against Boston.

Bryan Smolinski and Tom Kostopoulos also scored for the Canadiens.

Notes

• Minnesota RW Mark Parrish likely will have to sit out Game 2 against Colorado because of a head injury, Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said. Parrish was injured in the second period of the Wild's Game 1 loss on Wednesday after colliding with Avalanche D Ruslan Salei and hitting the boards.