Red Wings 2 - 0 Blue Jackets
Final
  for this game

Red Wings try to extend win streak in clash with Blue Jackets

Mar 17, 2011 - 3:10 PM (Sports Network) - The Detroit Red Wings will aim for a fourth straight victory when they visit the rival Columbus Blue Jackets for tonight's Central Division clash at Nationwide Arena.

The Red Wings are leading the Central with 92 points, placing them eight ahead of Chicago with 12 games to play. The Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are fourth in the division and 18 points in back of Detroit.

Tonight marks the sixth and final meeting between the Red Wings and Blue Jackets this season. Detroit has taken three of the five contests in the season series and has won nine of 12 overall. The clubs have split the last eight meetings in Columbus.

Detroit won its third straight game Wednesday night against visiting Washington, knocking off the red-hot Capitals with a 3-2 regulation decision. The Caps had won a season-high nine games in a row before the loss to the Red Wings.

Henrik Zetterberg scored his second goal of the game halfway through the third period to help Detroit defeat the Caps at Joe Louis Arena.

Valtteri Filppula also scored and Brian Rafalski added three assists. Jimmy Howard made 26 saves in the win.

"I thought they played good and I thought we played good and we were able to get one more goal than them," said Detroit head coach Mike Babcock.

Tonight marks the first of two straight on the road for Detroit, which has an excellent 23-9-4 record as the guest this season.

While Detroit is leading the Central and is second in the West, the Blue Jackets are running out of time in its push for the postseason. Columbus enters tonight as the 12th seed in the West and with 13 games to play, the Blue Jackets are seven points in back of the conference's final playoff berth.

The Blue Jackets have earned just one win in their last nine games, posting a 1-4-4 record over that span.

Columbus picked up a point in its most recent setback, losing a shootout decision Tuesday night against the visiting Boston Bruins.

Tyler Seguin posted the lone goal in the deciding phase to lift the Bruins the 3-2 victory at Nationwide Arena. Grant Clitsome and Scottie Upshall lit the lamp in regulation for the Blue Jackets. Steve Mason took the loss despite 27 making saves.

Columbus has lost three straight on home ice and is 16-14-4 as the host this season.






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