COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Detroit Red Wings rebounded from a Friday night game in which they blew a 3-0 lead late in the third period to hold on to the same lead on Sunday afternoon, earning a 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
While the Red Wings allowed three late third period goals to the Dallas Stars on Friday before losing in the shootout, they kept the Blue Jackets off the board until the game's final minute on Sunday, securing the victory.
Detroit netminder Dominik Hasek's shutout wasn't snapped until 59 seconds remained in the final period, when Rick Nash scored on a wraparound attempt, banging in his own rebound.
After a scoreless first period, the Red Wings opened the game's scoring just 1:57 into the second when a blast from above the right circle by Brett Lebda found its way into the top of the net on a Detroit power play.
Tomas Holmstrom put the Wings up by a pair 8:30 later, putting the rebound of a Lebda shot around goalie Fredrik Norrena while being knocked to the ice by defenseman Marc Methot.
Pavel Datsyuk wrapped up the period's scoring with the Red Wings on the penalty kill, stealing the puck from defenseman Anders Eriksson in the neutral zone and breaking in along on Norrena before rifling a quick shot past him.
Holmstrom added his second of the afternoon just 49 seconds into the third when a Kris Draper shot deflected off his skate, then the skate of defenseman Rostislav Klesla before getting past Norrena.
With the win, the Red Wings pull into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference, as well as the overall lead of the National Hockey League.
Hasek made 31 saves on 32 shots overall while Norrena stopped 21 of the 25 attempts he faced.
Detroit scored on one of three power play attempts. Columbus was without a goal on six chances with the extra attacker.
The Red Wings and Blue Jackets will meet again on Tuesday night to close out the season series in Detroit. Detroit will then end the regular season with a home-and-home series against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Notes: The Red Wings were without captain Nicklas Lidstrom who sat out the game with a back sprain. He is expected to rejoin the team on Tuesday. Kyle Quincey was called up from Grand Rapids to fill in on the blue line.
The last week of the season kicks off with the Wings and Blue Jackets on national TV. Detroit hasn't won on NBC since, what, January? It's been awhile. With Nashville's loss last night, Detroit has the chance to pull three points up on the Predators and two points up on Anaheim. They'll have to do so without Niklas Kronwall (fractured hip, done for the season) and Nicklas Lidstrom (sprained back, expected to return on Tuesday). Kyle Quincey is up and I assume Brett Lebda will return to the lineup.
The Wings survived a slow start. They miss Lidstrom and Kronwall.
I was going to wait until intermission but the Datsyuk goal was too nice to wait on. Catmandu's comment: "Poor goalie."
Much better period. (No kidding?)
Lebda gets back in the lineup and gets some points. Datsyuk scores one of his insane goals (Norrena looked like he knew he was going to be scored on once Datsyuk hit the blue line. Hope Detroit can do a better job of holding a three-goal lead today than they did on Friday.
Bill Clement (I think it was) just said something like...The Wings just have to hold a three goal lead in the third period and they will be alone in first"...Didn't I just hear that Friday night...lol...I think things will go better today though.
And they did end up much better. The Wings didn't go to sleep like they did on Friday, very important that they stick with it, don't want to get into bad habits just in time for the playoffs.
Good to see that, even though he went down, Markov seems to be fine. No more injuries.
I didn't see much of the game, but I'm pleased with the outcome. Dom's shut out was erased on an ugly goal, but all-in-all a strong game by the Red Machine.
Dom fell asleep again... so much for the shutout
Another one Dom can't be blamed on. Not that the shutout mattered anyway.
Weird-ass first period. Wings are slow again. Lots of penalties.
After two periods I have to say the Jackets outplayed the Wings. Wings can't get set up and too many penalties. Nash and company are swarming all around WINGS standing around, or running around all over in their own end. Not a good sign.
Agreed.
But then Calder goes and gets the Wings on the board!
Calder got hosed on that call, true he was guilty but the cross-check deserved one as well
Agreed.
But then Calder goes and gets the Wings on the board!
My gawd, Calder and company sure made me eat crow .... Not 30 seconds after I posted my comment, he scores a dandy ...... Calder has been A+ acquisition by the WINGS ...... 
The WINGS sure redeemed themselves in my mind in the third, especially the last 10 minutes. DOM came up big on the take away to keep the Jackets from evening the score. That play could have changed the whole complexion of the game, had DOM missed ... WOW .
Now to see what happens in the Hawk / Pred game .............. Geesshh ... 
Now to see what happens in the Hawk / Pred game .............. Geesshh ...
Yep, I'm scoreboard watching now. I'll hold off on the game recap until after seeing if Nashville comes up with a point.
Glad to see the Wings with their typical third period dominance but they can't count on that in the playoffs. Of course, they probably won't be playing down to anyone in the playoffs so maybe that won't be an issue in the first place.
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