Justin Abdelkader scores into empty net as Detroit Red Wings post huge victory in Nashville

Local Sports Journal

Justin Abdelkader scored into the empty net in the latter stages of Sunday night’s game as the Detroit Red Wings posted a 3-0 victory over the host Nashville Predators.

It was Abdelkader’s career-high ninth goal of the season and came at 18:41 of the final period after Nashville pulled goaltender Pekka Rinne for the extra skater. Abdelkader finished plus-2.

Jimmy Howard posted the shutout in net.

The victory moves Detroit over Dallas and back into the eighth, and final, playoff spot in the Western Conference standings.

Abdelkader’s goal was assisted by Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.