Penguins roll past Red Wings
DETROIT -- The Pittsburgh Penguins dominated the second and third periods on Saturday afternoon in a 7-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.
Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino had a goal and four assists for a career-high five points each for the Penguins.
The Penguins trailed 1-0 after the first period but scored four times in the second period and three in the third.
"I think we had a pretty good first period. We had a lot of chances and ade some good plays," said Bonino, who was a game-time decision because of an upper-body injury. "We stuck with it and were resilient. And when get one or two you get your confidence and start rolling."
The Penguins, third in the Metropolitan Division, increased their lead over the fourth-place New York Islanders, who played the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, to three points. They trailed the second-place New York Rangers, who visited the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, by two points.
The Red Wings, fourth in the Atlantic Division, remained one point behind the third-place Boston Bruins and tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second wild-card playoff position. Philadelphia has two games in hand.
"We knew this was a key game and we played like it," Penguins left winger CarlHagelin said. "The Red Wings have been getting closer in the race, so it was big to get two points and keep them to none."
Kris Letang and Eric Fehr had a goal and an assist each and Chris Kunitz also scored for Pittsburgh. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 21 shots.
Kunitz left the game late in the second period after a hit from Pavel Datsyuk and did not return. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Kunitz will be a game-time decision on Sunday when Pittsburgh plays the Rangers on the road.
Andreas Athanasiou and Mike Green scored for Detroit. Petr Mrazek made 23 saves before being pulled in favor of Jimmy Howard late in the second period. Howard made 11 saves.
"I thought when I walked in (the dressing room) after the first period we had played real well," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "I thought it was a real good hockey game and then once they scored early there. We let the momentum get away from us."
The Penguins scored four goals in the second period to take a 4-1 lead.
Twenty seconds into the second period, Kunitz tied the score 1-1. Letang's shot from the point bounced off the backboards, off Kunitz's stick, off Mrazek and into the net. It was Kunitz' 17th goal of the season.
"Obviously, not the result we wanted," said Mrazek, who was pulled for the second time in three games. "We started well, first period, up 1-0. Then start of the second you let that goal, had a bad bounce, went off my leg, then my (butt) and went in, quick turnaround and you see the result in the end."
Letang's power-play goal 4:08 into the period gave Pittsburgh the lead. He beat Mrazek with a shot from the right circle for Letang's 15th goal of the season.
Hagelin made it 3-1 with 8:58 left in the second period. His shot from the right circle went in off Datsyuk's shoulder. Kessel made it 4-1 with 4:50 left in the second period when he scored from the right circle off the rush for his 22nd goal of the season.
Mrazek was then replaced by Howard.
Green made it 4-2 with a power-play goal 5:08 into the third period. It was Green's fifth goal of the season. Datsyuk got his 600th career assist on the goal.
Fehr scored 1:36 later for his sixth goal of the season. Hagelin got his second goal of the game and 11th of the season 8:37 into the third period to make it 6-2.
Bonino scored a power-play goal with 5:15 left for his sixth goal of the season.
Athanasiou gave Detroit a 1-0 lead 8:24 into the game with his seventh goal of the season.
NOTES: Pittsburgh D Olli Maatta did not play because of a lower-body injury. He is week to week. ... Detroit C Luke Glendening had three goals in his past four games coming into Saturday. ... The Penguins recalled F Oskar Sundqvist from AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and sent him back on Friday. ... Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherfold played for Detroit during part of his NHL career as a goaltender. ... Red Wings C Pavel Datsyuk came into the game one assist shy of 600 for his career. ... Detroit backup G Jimmy Howard turned 32 on Saturday.