DET vs NAS

DETROIT - Detroit forward Mikael Samuelsson is expected to return to the lineup tonight when the Red Wings open their first-round Western Conference playoff series against Nashville.

Samuelsson had missed the last five games of the regular season with a groin injury, but Wings coach Mike Babcock said the 6-2, 213-pound Samuelsson -- who posted 40 points this season -- should be ready to go tonight.

Also scheduled to return is defenseman Brad Stuart, who missed the last eight games of the regular season with a broken finger. But forward Kirk Maltby (hamstring) is not expected to be in the lineup tonight.

Babcock said his only remaining lineup decision was whether to go with Darren McCarty or Aaron Downey on the fourth line.

For the Predators, center David Legwand participated in today's morning skate, but isn't likely to play in Games One or Two. Legwand missed the last 12 games of the regular season with a deep bone bruise on his foot.

The spotlight tonight should be on Nashville goalie Dan Ellis, who will be making his first NHL playoff start. Ellis had only played in one NHL game prior to this season, but posted the league's best save percentage (.924).

``I'm trying not to look at things on such a grand scale," Ellis said. ``You try to minimize things a little bit more so that maybe your nerves are calmed a little bit.

``But it is what it is. You're in Detroit for your first playoff series. But just like the whole season, you've got to put aside personal things and help the team."

Here are the expected lines and pairings:

DETROIT

Lines
Pavel Datsyuk-Henrik Zetterberg-Tomas Holmstrom
Valtteri Filppula-Johan Franzen-Dan Cleary
Jiri Hudler-Kris Draper-Mikael Samuelsson
Dallas Drake-Mark Hartigan-Darren McCarty

Pairings
Nicklas Lidstrom-Brian Rafalski
Niklas Kronwall-Brad Stuart
Andreas Lilja-Chris Chelios

Goalie: Dominik Hasek

NASHVILLE

Lines
Jan Hlavac-Jason Arnott-J.P. Dumont
Martin Erat-Radek Bonk-Alexander Radulov
Vern Fiddler-Scott Nichol-Jerred Smithson
Brandon Bochenski-Rich Peverley-Jordin Tootoo

Pairings
Dan Hamhuis-Greg de Vries
Ryan Suter-Marek Zidlicky
Greg Zanon-Shea Weber

Goalie: Dan Ellis