The Detroit Red Wings grabbed a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday to sweep the home-and-home series and strengthen their grip on the NHL’s Western Conference.
The Red Wings (15-4-2), who defeated the Blue Jackets 2-1 in Columbus on Friday, now have a four-point lead over the Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks atop the conference.
Detroit entered the two-game set coming off a disheartening 5-1 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers that had left them tied with Columbus for first in the Central Division.
“We embarrassed ourselves in Atlanta,” Detroit coach Mike -Babcock told reporters. “Every once in a while you get away from things and you need to be reminded. We were able to get back on track and win these two games and it was an important two games for us.”
Niklas Kronwall, Darren Helm and Valtteri Filppula netted three straight goals for Detroit, including two in a 14-second span during the second period, while Danny Cleary clinched the game with an empty netter with 59 seconds remaining.
Jimmy Howard made 27 saves and hung tough when the Blue Jackets pulled to within 3-2 on a power-play conversion from R.J. Umberger with 1 minute, 31 seconds left in the game.
Steve Mason recorded 38 saves for Columbus (14-8-0), who scored the game’s opening on a tip-in by Derick Brassard.
It marked the first time that the Blue Jackets dropped two straight games this season and was only their second loss on the road.
The Red Wings improved to 10-1-2 at Joe Louis Arena. They played without center Mike Modano, who is out indefinitely after the center severed a tendon in his right wrist on Friday.
THRASHERS 4, BRUINS 1
In Atlanta, Georgia, Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien had a goal and three assists, while Ondrej Pavelec made 40 saves to help the Thrashers win their fifth straight game over the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
Pavelec had 16 saves in the second period.
Atlanta, which has outscored opponents 19-3 over its last five games, led 3-0 by the 14 minute, 42 second mark of the first period on goals by Evander Kane, Byfuglien and Jim Slater.
Blake Wheeler’s wrister 12 minutes, 22 seconds into the second period cut it to 3-1, but Niclas Bergfors scored on a power-play by redirecting Byfuglien’s slap-shot with 13 seconds left in the period.
In Sunday’s other action, it was:
‧ Capitals 3, Hurricanes 2 SO
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