1. The Red Wings must score consistently at even strength. The Red Wings' power play has been awful and the Preds the NHL's best. But the stats are just as slanted in the Red Wings' direction when the teams are even strength. Will they take advantage?
2. Jimmy Howard has to match Pekka Rinne in goal. Rinne is considered the better goalie by most hockey experts, but he may be overrated and Howard underrated. We'll see.
3. Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg must score goals. They are considered among the best players in the world. They must produce like it - or the Red Wings will, indeed, be in trouble in this series.