Russia's Alex Radulov scored one goal and set up a second to lead the Nashville Predators into the NHL Western Conference playoffs with a 2-1 win that sealed a 4-1 series victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
Radulov found space with four minutes left of the first period to open the scoring from David Legwand’s assist.
Jiri Hudler equalized for the Red Wings by knocking in a deflected shot in the second period.
Within seconds of the start of the third period, Radulov broke free to set up Legwand, who scored the crucial goal that knocked out his hometown team.
Radulov finished the series top scorer with one goal and four assists, and put Friday's victory down to the team’s work ethic and ability to overcome setbacks such as the 3-2 home defeat in the second game of the series
"There's some games we didn't play our best. [It's] not like we didn't try, we tried, it just didn't work," Radulov said in comments on the NHL website.
"We sat down and talked a lot, and we just have to work hard and that's what we did today, and things turn around and work our way. Glad everything went good. Happy."
Radulov first joined the Predators in 2006, but left for Russia two years later with a year to run on his contract, saying he missed his homeland, only to return to Nashville for the playoffs last month.
Radulov is now likely to stay in the NHL for several years, as the Russian-centered KHL isn't challenging enough, ex-Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Darius Kasparaitis told RIA Novosti on Friday.
The Russian will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer, able to command a high price for his services in the NHL.
Since rejoining the Predators, Radulov has played 14 games, notching up four goals and eight assists.
