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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
DETROIT (AP) -- The Nashville Predators are surprising everyone
these days, even themselves.
Cliff Ronning's goal 1:51 into overtime gave Nashville a 2-1
victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night, moving the
Predators (4-1-1) three games above .500 for the first time in the
franchise's three-year history.
"We don't know what's going on," Ronning said. "We're just
going out and having fun. We're the underdogs."
But the underdogs are winning mainly with defense and excellent
goaltending by Mike Dunham, who stopped 44 Detroit shots.
"We had a lot of chances," Red Wings coach Scotty Bowman said.
"The guy was good. He was a wall, there's no question about it."
Nashville has allowed just eight goals in six games.
"We feel confident now that if we play hard we'll win with our
goaltender," Ronning said. "It's still early in the season, but
we feel we're improved."
Dunham, who has given up one goal in each of his four starts,
was just 3.4 seconds away from a 1-0 win and his fifth career
shutout when Sergei Fedorov scored for Detroit.
But Ronning took advantage of a collision between Detroit goalie
Manny Legace and defenseman Larry Murphy to the right of the Red
Wings net and put a shot between Legace's glove and the right post.
"It was just one of those fluke things," Ronning said. "I
can't explain it."
The Red Wings (3-3-0-1) have lost three of four home games and
are two points behind Nashville and St. Louis, who share the early
Central Division lead.
"It's like a horse race. You can get off to a good start, but
it's how you finish," Ronning said. "I'm sure the Red Wings will
be galloping before it's over."
Dunham stopped the first 41 shots he faced before Fedorov beat
him with a high shot off a pass from Brendan Shanahan after Detroit
pulled Legace for an extra attacker.
"I had no chance," Dunham said. "I just saw it go right by my
head."
Dunham repeatedly frustrated Shanahan, stopping him on good
chances in each period.
The Nashville goalie was at his best when the Red Wings fired
six shots at him during a second-period power play. Dunham denied
Pat Verbeek and Shanahan in one sequence, and seconds later saved a
point-blank effort from Tomas Holmstrom.
"He's amazing; just amazing," Nashville's Greg Johnson said.
"He's the reason we are where we are right now."
Legace, who allowed just one goal in his first two starts,
turned away 26 shots. It was his first loss in seven decisions with
Detroit.
"I thought we played well defensively and the offense had
chances," Legace said. "But Dunham stood on his head."
Peltonen scored 11:20 into the first period. His shot from the
right circle was blocked by Maxim Kuznetsov, but Peltonen was able
to get to the loose puck and skated in before tucking a short shot
into the left side of the net.
Game notes
The win was Nashville's first in seven visits to Joe Louis
Arena. ... Detroit defenseman Chris Chelios will undergo
arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Friday. He is out
indefinitely after being injured Tuesday against St. Louis. ...
Steve Yzerman expects to be on crutches for about four weeks
following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday. The
Detroit captain was placed on injured reserve and replaced on the
roster by defenseman Todd Gill. ... Nashville has not allowed a
first-period goal in six games. ... Detroit forward Darren McCarty
played his 400th career game.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Nashville Clubhouse
Detroit Clubhouse
Wings dropping like flies: Chelios needs knee surgery
Yzerman has knee surgery, reportedly out 6-8 weeks
RECAPS
Pittsburgh 3
Ottawa 3
Montreal 3
Philadelphia 3
Washington 5
New Jersey 2
Nashville 2
Detroit 1
St. Louis 7
Los Angeles 1
Toronto 4
Edmonton 1
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