Red Wings take control of series with 4-0 win over Blue Jackets

DETROIT - The Red Wings relied on unsung players to get off to a good start against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Two stars put the defending Stanley Cup champions in control.

Pavel Datsyuk slammed a shot into the net, and Henrik Zetterberg sent a puck to the top shelf, leading Detroit to a 4-0 win against the Blue Jackets on Saturday night and a 2-0 lead in the first-round Western Conference series.

"They're best players today were their best players," Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They were terrific and they made the difference."

In Game 1, Detroit's third line was dominant while Datsyuk's and Zetterberg's lines didn't do much offensively.

Brian Rafalski scored the first goal of Game 2 and Jiri Hudler had the last, giving Chris Osgood more than enough support as he posted his 14th NHL playoff shutout.

Barring a stunning turnaround, Detroit will become the first defending Stanley Cup champion to reach the second round since the Colorado Avalanche did it seven years ago.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves here," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We've won two games."

Columbus hopes returning home will help Tuesday night when it hosts a playoff game for the first time in franchise history.

"We have to respond to the pressure to make this a long series," Hitchcock said.