Wings Close Regular Season with Loss to Preds

The Detroit Red Wings, having already clinched the NHL’s best regular season record, ended their schedule on a low note Tuesday, dropping a 6-3 decision to the Nashville Predators.

Four goals in the second period helped propel the Predators to the victory.

Detroit had opened the scoring when Kris Draper scored off a Mark Mowers rebound with 6:19 remaining in the first period but Nashville scored the next six goals.

Early in the second period, after an apparent power play goal by Paul Kariya was called back, the Predators went on the first of a series of five-on-three power plays that led to two goals.

Kariya scored at 4:29 to put the Predators on the board, rifling a one-timer off of Detroit goalie Chris Osgood’s glove and into the net.

Just 21 seconds later, Martin Erat deflected a shot by Shea Weber to give Nashville the lead.

At 9:45, Kariya scored his second of the night on a two-on-one rush, getting a pass from David Legwand. With 3:57 remaining in the period, their roles were reversed as Legwand scored the Predators’ fourth goal.

Kariya completed his hat trick on another odd-man rush at 1:40 of the third period and Mike Sillinger added another goal 1:31 later.

With 5:07 remaining in the final period, Mikael Samuelsson deflected a shot by Mathieu Schneider for a Detroit power play goal.

Detroit finished the game’s scoring with 2:10 remaining when a Jason Williams shot deflected off a Nashville defenseman and past goalie Chris Mason for another power play goal.

Both teams finished the night two-for-seven on the power play.

Osgood stopped 24 of the 30 shots he faced in net for Detroit while Mason made 30 saves on 33 shots for Nashville.

The Red Wings will return to the ice on Friday night when they host the Edmonton Oilers in the first game of the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs.