NEWARK, New Jersey -- The Detroit Red Wings scored twice in the opening 1:42 Saturday night, cruising to a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils.
Just 28 seconds into the game, Tomas Holmstrom deflected a Nicklas Lidstrom past Devils netminder Martin Brodeur. The puck bounced off the post, off of Brodeur, and into the net.
Danny Cleary made it 2-0 1:14 later. Cleary raced through the neutral zone and took a cross-ice pass from Todd Bertuzzi, gaining the New Jersey end and snapping a shot past Brodeur's glove from the left faceoff dot.
Henrik Zetterberg made it 3-0 with 8:23 left in the second period, driving to the net to knock his own rebound chance past Brodeur.
The Devils finally got on the board 39 seconds into the third period. Patrick Elias snapped a shot from the right faceoff circle through a screen by Dainius Zubrus and by Detroit goalie Chris Osgood.
Pavel Datsyuk wrapped up the game's scoring with 9:48 left in the game. Henrik Zetterberg beat out an icing call and sent the puck to Datsyuk in the slot. Datsyuk moved to his backhand and beat Brodeur to make it 4-1.
After allowing goals on the first two shots he faced, Brodeur finished the night with 19 saves on 23 Detroit chances.
Osgood stopped 33 of 34 New Jersey shots en route to his 399th career win.
The Red Wings went scoreless on three power play tries. The Devils scored once on five tries with the extra attacker.
Detroit is back in action on Monday when they host the Los Angeles Kings.
Starting this now since I don't expect to be back for (at least the start of) the game tonight.
The Devils were in action in a 3-2 loss at Ottawa last night, a game that saw Martin Brodeur return from injury. Detroit MSM has been quiet (surprise) so as of right now I've got no idea if Brodeur goes again tonight.
Being the second of back to back games, Chris Osgood might get the nod for the Wings. I also expect Kris Draper back in the lineup as the fourth line rotation continues.
What do ya know, I made it back in time.
First shot! Off the post, off Brodeur, and in. Not pretty but counts just as much.
Another one! Great shot this time and the posts are our friends tonight.
Holy f*ck, Devils with some chances on the PP. Ozzie with a couple good stops and great defense from Lidstrom.
Wings didn't have enough possession that period.
Ericsson didn't need to step up to a challenge there.
Ericsson didn't need to step up to a challenge there.
At least he is using his size for something!
Great job of following the puck by Zata.
3-0! I love it!
Great shot, great screen. Shouldn't have been a power play.
That should have been icing. Great job by Zata to beat it out and fantastic shot by Pasha.
Solid game overall. Ozzie looked good and the offense was clicking.
Tomas Holmstrom
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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