Red Wings Drop Second-Straight with 4-1 Loss to Blue Jackets

After opening the season 5-0, the Detroit Red Wings dropped their second consecutive game Tuesday night, a 4-1 decision to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The win was the first for Columbus in nine tries. They had been the last winless team in the NHL.

The Blue Jackets opened the game’s scoring just 21 seconds in when R.J. Umberger knocked the rebound of an Antoine Vermette chance through Detroit goalie Ty Conklin.

Darren Helm got the Red Wings on the board at 4:54 of the first, backhanding a fluttering shot past Columbus netminder Steve Mason from the side of the net.

Ryan Johansen made it 2-1 at 8:56 of the period with a power play goal, the first of his career. After a Grant Clitsome shot, Johansen gathered up the loose puck to Conklin’s left and banked a shot off the netminder’s skate.

Columbus took a 3-1 lead on John Moore’s first career goal with 5:44 remaining in the second. Moore’s shot from the left point deflected off of Drew Miller and past Conklin.

Derek MacKenzie added an empty net goal to round out the scoring.

Conklin finished the night with 28 saves on 31 shots while Mason stopped 30 of the 31 shots he faced. Allan York faced no shots in 2:33 played for Columbus while Mason was injured after Helm’s goal.

The Blue Jackets scored once on seven power play chances and added a shorthanded goal into the empty net. Detroit was scoreless on three power plays.

The Red Wings are next in action on Friday when they host the San Jose Sharks.

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Goaltender Jimmy Howard did not make the trip to Columbus, staying in Detroit with his wife and newborn son… Former Blue Jacket Mike Commodore remains on injured reserve for the Red Wings, recovering from a knee injury… Fabian Brunnstrom and Cory Emmerton were healthy scratches for Detroit.