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The octopus reigned supreme in Detroit earlier today as the Red Wings doubled up on the Predators 4-2 to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in the first round Western Conference match-up.

A familiar name from Cups past struck for the Wings when gritty veteran Darren McCarty got the home club on the board 2:26 in. The Preds fired 15 shots on Dominik Hasek in the first but couldn’t beat the 43 year-old proven winner.

Following a Nick Lidstrom power play tally, some luck finally went their way when Alex Radulov retrieved a dump-in which hit a stansion and fired into an open net for a power play goal to slice the deficit in half at 2:19. The good run continued as just 11 seconds later, Jordin Tootoo took a Shea Weber feed off an Andreas Lilja turnover and beat Hasek five-hole to suddenly tie Game Two.

Nashville continued to buzz around the Detroit net hitting at least three posts along with a pointblank Jan Hlavac chance which the ex-Ranger missed five feet wide (yikes) burying his head for good reason. The continued pressure finally forced Detroit coach Mike Babcock to call a timeout to regroup his team.

The move paid immediate dividends on a bit of a break. On an apparent offside, Kris Draper’s centering pass went off Greg de Vries’ skate past a startled Dan Ellis to reclaim the lead with 15:00 left in the middle stanza.

The goal seemed to settle down Detroit, who played more like a No.1 seed taking the play to the Preds. They outshot them 27-12 over the final 40 minutes including 13-7 in the third. A period which saw Tomas Holmstrom do what he does best capitalizing on a loose puck which caromed out to him for his first at 10:03.

Pavel Datsyuk and former Devil Brian Rafalski assisted on the insurance marker which for all intensive purposes ended any realistic hope Barry “The Evil Czar” Trotz’ club had of gaining a split before the series shifted back to Music City.

Even a late six-on-four advantage with Ellis pulled resulted in nothing with way too many passes. Why do teams do that? They were down by two! Just makes no sense.

Holmstrom finished with a goal and assist. Hasek made 25 saves and Detroit dominated in the faceoff circle winning 40 of 64 draws.

They also once again did a solid job on Preds’ captain Jason Arnott, limiting the former A Line center to one shot and a minus-one rating. He has only that one shot with no points so far in the series. That must change back home in Nashville starting Monday if his club is to get back in it.

I wouldn’t hold my breath.

In an hour, the Canadiens host the Bruins in Game Two looking to make it 10-for-10 counting the regular season. The late game features Dallas at Anaheim with the defending champs looking to play a lot better and square that series. Faceoff is after 10.