Johan Franzen scored in the game’s final minute Thursday night, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 6-5 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets and finishing off a four-game sweep of their Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup.
Franzen’s goal came on a late power play after the Blue Jackets were called for too many men on the ice. Jiri Hudler pushed to the front of the net from the left side and Franzen followed him up, banging in a rebound with 47 seconds remaining.
The goal put Detroit back in front after they gave up a two-goal lead for the second time in the game.
The Red Wings led 3-1 after the first twenty minutes of the game, taking the lead on goals by Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom and Dan Cleary while Kristian Huselius scored for Columbus.
The Blue Jackets scored four times in the second period, rallying twice when their season seemed over.
Rick Nash tipped in a goal at 1:44 of the middle frame and R.J. Umberger added another at 5:38 to tie things up.
Marian Hossa scored two consecutive goals to put Detroit back in the lead but Kris Russell and Fredrik Modin countered.
It was the first game of the series in which the Blue Jackets scored more than one goal.
Columbus netminder Steve Mason stopped 35 of 41 shots against while Detroit goalie Chris Osgood made 27 saves on 32 shots.
The Red Wings will now wait to see the outcome of the series between the San Jose Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks to know who they will face in the next round. The Wings will face the Ducks if Anaheim wins or the Vancouver Canucks if San Jose does.
Detroit was without Kris Draper for the fourth-straight playoff game.
