Zetterberg’s Four Points Lead Red Wings over Sharks

Henrik Zetterberg factored in all but one of Detroit’s goals Tuesday night, notching four points as the Red Wings picked up a 5-3 win over the San Jose Sharks to open a three-game West Coast road trip.

Zetterberg helped the Red Wings open the scoring at 4:50 of the first period, working the puck to Danny Cleary at the top of the crease for a tap-in on a Detroit power play.

Pavel Datsyuk made it 2-0 8:01 into the game, splitting a pair of defenders just inside the blue line and skating around San Jose goalie Antero Niittymaki. Zetterberg picked up the second assist on the goal.

The Sharks pulled to within a goal just 1:34 later when a Joe Thornton chance from the bottom of the right faceoff circle deflected off of Dany Heatley and past Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard for a power play goal.

Zetterberg made it 3-1 2:58 into the second, swatting the puck out of mid-air in the slot and past Niittymaki. The goal came just seconds after the expiration of a Detroit power play.

San Jose once again replied quickly, with Benn Ferriero driving to the net and knocking the puck past Howard 1:54 later.

Patrick Eaves restored Detroit’s two-goal lead with 11 seconds left in the period, deflecting a shot from Cleary past Niittymaki.

Zetterberg finished off Detroit’s scoring at 7:55 of the third, roofing a shot into an open net off a fantastic pass from Datsyuk.

Ryane Clowe scored once more for San Jose after the Sharks killed a four-minute Detroit power play but the Red Wings would hold on to win.

Detroit finished the night one-for-four on the power play. The Sharks scored once on two chances with the extra attacker.

Howard made 25 saves on 28 shots to earn the win. Niittymaki stopped 24 of 29 shots.

The Red Wings will continue their road trip on Friday as they visit the Anaheim Ducks.