Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Kris Draper's second-period goal proved to be the game-winner as the Detroit Red Wings doubled up the Nashville Predators, 4-2, in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Joe Louis Arena.

Tomas Holmstrom had a goal and an assist, while Darren McCarty and Nicklas Lidstrom also scored for Detroit, which took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. The club was backed by another solid effort from veteran goaltender Dominik Hasek, who made 25 saves.

The 43-year-old Hasek, who helped the Red Wings to their last Stanley Cup title in 2002, continues to deflect criticism of being too old or too injury prone to carry Detroit through the postseason. Despite a .902 save percentage in the regular season, he has thrived against Nashville and is now 65-47 in 117 career playoff games. Backup Chris Osgood also has 87 postseason games under his belt.

Alex Radulov and Jordin Tootoo each tallied for Nashville, which couldn't fully recover from an early two-goal deficit. Dan Ellis stopped 34-of-38 shots in the loss.

This series will shift to the Music City for Game 3, as the Predators host Monday's test at the Sommet Center.

The Red Wings got plenty of pressure at the start of the first period, needing just 2:26 to grab the lead. Coming out of the neutral zone, Dallas Drake controlled the puck in the right circle and sent it toward the net. The disc deflected off Ellis, and McCarty swept home the rebound for the 1-0 lead.

"It's unbelievable," said Draper. "Everybody in this rink tonight, the state of Michigan, anyone involved in hockey has to be really excited. This is a feel-good story for a guy (McCarty) that's had some tough times. I love seeing him in this dressing room. He's taken advantage of an opportunity, but an opportunity he created himself with everything that he's done. He's worked so hard to put himself in this situation."

The game picked up in the second period, with the clubs combining for four goals.

Lidstrom made it 2-0 just 39 ticks into the stanza, as his shot deflected off a stick in front, beating a screened Ellis to the glove side for a power-play tally.

Nashville, however, created some havoc with goals just 11 seconds apart to tie it up. The first came on the power play at 2:19, as Radulov won a race to the puck in front of the crease and easily wristed it past Hasek, who had misplayed the disc and scrambled to get back to his post.

Tootoo then struck off a quick turnover, corralling the puck in the low right circle and sending the rolling disc between the legs of Hasek to tie it up.

The Red Wings went back on top at the 5:00 mark, as Draper's shot caromed off the skate of Nashville defenseman Greg Zanon and slipped past a stunned Ellis.

"It was just an unfortunate bounce," said Ellis. "You get the momentum back, you get two goals and then you get a fluke play. It goes off a guy's skate and trickles it in. You can't do much about it. Z (Zanon) is doing all he can to stop the play."

Goals were hard to come by in the third, as the defensive units buckled down at each end of the ice. Detroit did a good job physically in front of the net, finishing checks and batting away loose pucks to prevent the Predators from getting to Hasek.

Holmstrom tacked on an insurance goal near the midpoint, as he stormed toward the crease and buried a rebound high over the left shoulder of Ellis with 9:57 remaining.

Nashville had a power play to close out the contest, but couldn't break through against Hasek and Detroit's tough penalty-killing unit.