Red Wings flat against Nashville, losing 4-1

The Predators still have 27 regular-season games remaining, but that didn’t change Trotz’s view of things after Nashville beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1.

Martin Erat scored the first of Nashville’s four goals to chase Jimmy Howard, and Pekka Rinne made 34 saves to help the Predators beat the Central Division-leading Red Wings for the second time in five days.

Detroit has lost three of four, scoring four goals during the stretch.

Howard got pulled after giving up four goals on 16 shots.

The Red Wings avoided getting shut out for the third time in four games late in the second when Ruslan Salei scored his first goal this season in his 53rd game with Detroit.