Red Wings’ Osgood Blanks Blue Jackets in Game Two Win

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16 years ago

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood continued to silence his critics Saturday night, leading the Red Wings to a 4-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game Two of their Western Conference Quarterfinals matchup.

The shutout comes on the heels of a twenty-save performance in Game One, after which he addressed his doubters.

“I don’t doubt myself ever. People that don’t know me do,” Osgood said after the series opener. “I’ve played for 15 years. I have the most wins in Red Wings playoff history for a reason, not because I’m a bad goalie.”

Osgood made 25 saves en route to the shutout.

The power play carried Detroit’s scoring, counting for three of the Red Wings’ four goals. The Wings finished the night three-for-ten on the power play, their percentage hurt by a series of Columbus penalties late in the game, after things had already been decided.

Brian Rafalski opened the game’s scoring on a power play with 6:27 left in the first period, snapping a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle off of Columbus defenseman Fedor Tyutin and over goalie Steve Mason’s shoulder.

Pavel Datsyuk’s power play goal at 7:18 of the second period stretched Detroit’s lead to two. Marian Hossa sent a shot from the left side purposely wide, with Datsyuk open to deflect it in.

Henrik Zetterberg scored the only even-strength goal of the game with 4:30 left in the middle frame, looping around defenders down low and lifting a shot from the inside edge of the right circle into the top of the net.

Jiri Hudler wrapped up the game’s scoring just 3:38 into the final period, bouncing an acute-angle shot off of defenseman Rostislav Klesla, off the post, off of Mason and into the net.

With the game out of reach, the Blue Jackets attempted to send a message as time ran down, taking 22 penalty minutes in the final ten minutes of the game, including a misconduct to Mike Commodore.

Game Three between the two teams will be Tuesday night in Columbus. It will be the first home playoff game in Blue Jackets’ franchise history.

The Red Wings were without Kris Draper, who also missed Game One with an upper-body injury. He will be re-evaluated on Monday.