Red Wings 3, Kings 1
DETROIT -- Jordin Tootoo's goal early in the third period broke a tie, Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and an assist, and the Detroit Red Wings moved into the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot with a 3-1 comeback win over the Los Angeles Kings at Joe Louis Arena on Wednesday night.
The Red Wings are trying to extend their playoff streak to 22 consecutive seasons. They have the longest current postseason run in North American professional sports.
The Columbus Blue Jackets trail the Red Wings (22-16-8) by one point, and the Dallas Stars are two points back with two games remaining for all three teams.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Kings (26-16-5) have already clinched a playoff spot, and they were tied for fourth in Western Conference with the Sharks prior to San Jose's game late Wednesday at Phoenix. Los Angeles plays host to San Jose on Saturday in the teams' regular-season finale.
Johan Franzen also scored for Detroit, and Henrik Zetterberg had two assists. Jimmy Howard stopped 23 shots.
Kyle Clifford scored for Los Angeles. Jonathan Quick made 33 saves.
Tootoo gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead 5:42 into the second period with his third goal of the season. He tipped Patrick Eaves' shot out of the air and past Quick.
Franzen picked up his sixth goal in six games on a power-play effort with 6:26 remaining. He tipped in a pass in the slot from Zetterberg. It was Franzen's 13th goal.
Datsyuk tied the game at 1 with 9:28 left in the second period on his 14th goal. He put a backhand shot past Quick from the bottom of the left circle.
Clifford opened the scoring 5:28 into the middle period when he put one past Howard from a goal-mouth scramble. It was Clifford's sixth goal.
The Kings' Anze Kopitar hit the goal post with a shot from the top of the left circle 4:11 into the second period.
Detroit dominated a scoreless first period by out-shooting Los Angeles 13-4, and the Red Wings finished with a 36-24 shot advantage.
NOTES: Los Angeles was without captain and right wing Dustin Brown because he was suspended for two games without pay by the NHL earlier on Wednesday for elbowing Minnesota forward Jason Pominville on Tuesday night. No penalty was assessed on second-period hit to the head in the Kings' 2-1 loss at Minnesota. Brown hit Pominville in the jaw, knocking him on his back. The suspension will cost Brown $34,324. He has 18 goals and 29 points in 46 games. ... Detroit forward Todd Bertuzzi, who has missed all but seven games this season because of a pinched nerve in his back, plans to return on Thursday night when the Red Wings host the Nashville Predators. Detroit concludes the regular season Saturday at Dallas. ... There were 22 NHL scouts at the game.
