Johnson and the ‘Jackets top the Wings in Columbus

By Nick Barnowski –

The Red Wings were flying high heading into their matinee game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, having won five out of their last seven games.

Unfortunately for Detroit, Sergei Bobrovsky was rolling in net for the Blue Jackets, picking up 29 saves while earning his first career shutout in a 3-0 win.

The loss was Detroit’s third consecutive one to Columbus, which means that the Blue Jackets have clinched the season series against the Wings for the first time in franchise history.

From the opening face-off, Columbus had much more energy than the Wings, which proved beneficial for the home team quickly.

A giveaway by Niklas Kronwall behind his own net led to a Cam Atkinson goal around midway through the first period made it 1-0. The goal broke the Red Wings’ stretch of five consecutive games without allowing a first or second-period goal.

The Blue Jackets kept the pressure on through the second period, where they scored twice more to make it 3-0.

Former Michigan Wolverines star Jack Johnson launched a rocket from the slot that beat Jonas Gustavsson over his shoulder to make the score 2-0. Moments later, a puck that bounced off the skate of Kyle Quincey behind his own goal line found it’s way to the stick of Nick Foligno, who, after a pass from Ryan Johansen, put it in the back of the net to give the Blue Jackets the 3-0 lead.

Struggles on the power play continue to hamper the Red Wings. The man-advantage units went 0-for-3 in the game, making it 10 consecutive road games to start the season without a power-play goal. They are the only team in the NHL that has not scored a road power play goal.

It was the first time Detroit had been shutout since the season opener against St. Louis.

The two teams go at it again tomorrow at 5 p.m., in a rematch at Joe Louis Arena.