National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Detroit 5, Columbus 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Referees: Chris Rooney, Greg Kimmerly
Linesmen: Scott Driscoll, Michel Cormier
Attendance: 14333


RED WINGS 5, BLUE JACKETS 2: Defenseman Niklas Kronwall recorded a tally and two assists as Detroit scored four unanswered goals in the third period to top Columbus and end its three-game losing streak.

Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula and Johan Franzen each notched a goal and an assist for Detroit, which played without captain Nicklas Lidstrom due to a swollen ankle.

Derek MacKenzie gave Columbus a 2-1 lead less than 2 1/2 minutes into the third period with a shorthanded goal, but Detroit scored three times in a 5:32 span to take control.

Kronwall began the outburst at 3:43 with a backhander from the left faceoff circle that sneaked between Curtis Sanford's body and left arm for a power-play goal.

Zetterberg put the Red Wings ahead for good at 8:26 with a shot from a near-impossible angle below the left circle and Jan Mursak swept the puck past Sanford from alone in front 49 seconds later for a 4-2 advantage.

Filppula sealed the outcome with just over six minutes remaining by burying a loose puck on the doorstep for his third goal in four contests.

Captain Rick Nash scored a power-play goal for the Blue Jackets, who have lost five of their last six games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Red Wings also halted their three-game road skid. ... Zetterberg has recorded 16 points over his last 12 contests. ... Kronwall's goal was his 13th of the season, two behind Ottawa's Erik Karlsson for the league lead among defensemen. ... The Blue Jackets have dropped five of their last seven home games. ... Nash has scored four goals in his last five contests.

Top Game Performances
 
Detroit   Columbus
Niklas Kronwall 3 Points Derek MacKenzie 1
Niklas Kronwall 1 Goals Derek MacKenzie 1
Niklas Kronwall 2 Assists Derick Brassard 1
Niklas Kronwall 1 Power Play Goals Rick Nash 1
N/A Short Handed Goals Derek MacKenzie 1
Joey MacDonald .933 Save Percentage Curtis Sanford .800
Joey MacDonald 28 Saves Curtis Sanford 20
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Detroit 25 5 1-6 4-5 10 29
Columbus 30 2 1-5 5-6 12 32
Upcoming Games
  • Columbus will play their next game on the road against Colorado. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .105 after a win and .364 after a loss.
  • Detroit will play their next game at home against Minnesota. The Red Wings have a W/L % of .738 after a win and .500 after a loss.