Red Wings execute and beat Predators

The Detroit Red Wings took advantage of all their breaks.

Kris Draper’s tiebreaking goal went off an opponent, Nick Lidstrom scored when one of his teammates could have been called for a penalty and the Red Wings beat the Nashville Predators, 4-2, Saturday at Detroit to take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference first-round series.

The eighth-seeded Predators can only hope the calls and bounces go their way Monday night at Nashville in Game 3 against the NHL’s top-seeded team.

Lidstrom gave the Red Wings a two-goal lead in the opening minute of the second period when Tomas Holmstrom appeared to have a skate in the crease and could have been called for interference.

Nashville erased the cushion in an 11-second span when Alexander Radulov and Jordin Tootoo scored in the third minute of the second to make it 2-2.

The Predators fell behind again 2 1/2 minutes later when Draper pushed the puck to the front of the net and it went off a Predator’s skate and into the net.

Holmstrom gave Detroit another two-goal lead when he scored off a rebound midway through the third period.

Montreal 3, Boston 2 (OT) -- Alex Kovalev scored a power-play goal 2:30 into overtime at Montreal to give the Canadiens a 2-0 lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series. He drove a slap shot past Tim Thomas from the left side. Montreal has won 13 in a row against the Bruins.