Zherdev’s goal in shootout lifts Blue Jackets past Detroit

The Red Wings tied it by scoring two goals within
five seconds.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Nikolai Zherdev scored the winning shootout goal to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets past the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Saturday night.

Michael Peca and Rick Nash also scored in the shootout for Columbus, which won despite allowing Detroit to tie it with two goals in a team-record five seconds. The game was the second shootout in a week between the teams, with Detroit winning last Sunday.

Manny Malhotra and Zherdev scored in regulation for Columbus, which has won two straight. Pascal Leclaire made 23 saves, including a big stop on Henrik Zetterberg in the shootout.

Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and an assist, and Tomas Holmstrom also scored for Detroit, which has lost five of seven. Chris Osgood made several spectacular saves to keep the Red Wings in the game.

With Columbus ahead 2-0 midway through the second period and seemingly in control, Detroit tied it in a flash.

Holmstrom jammed home a loose puck sitting in a pile of players for his 12th at 10:44 with the Red Wings on a power play. The Blue Jackets won the ensuing faceoff, but Datsyuk stole the puck from Zherdev and zipped a rising shot from the circles over Leclaire at 10:49 to even it.

The two goals scored in 5 seconds set a record for Detroit. The previous mark was 7 seconds, done in both 1936 and 1987. It was also the quickest two goals allowed in Columbus’ short history. The Blue Jackets gave up goals 8 seconds apart in 2006.

Osgood made his best saves moments earlier with Columbus on the power play and looking to add to their lead. He stoned Gilbert Brule on a semi-breakaway after Dan Cleary gave the puck away. Osgood then followed with two diving, stick saves seconds apart on Nash on cross-ice feeds.

Columbus had a two-man advantage late in the period — and again — couldn’t convert with a wide-open look. This time it was Zherdev, and he was stuffed by the stick of a lunging Andreas Lilja.

The Red Wings controlled most of the third period with terrific puck possession, but failed to convert on a 48-second, two-man chance just past the midway mark.

Malhotra put Columbus on the board first with his fourth goal. Osgood stopped Jason Chimera’s wraparound try, but the puck slid to Malhotra, who scored from the slot at 12:35 of the opening period.

A casual rush ended with Zherdev scoring on a deflection for his seventh to make it 2-0 with two minutes remaining in the first.