Detroit Red Wings take Game 1 vs. Blue Jackets

[pistons_own]

http://redwings.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=Recap&gameNumber=161&season=20082009&gameType=3

Redwings.nhl.com
DETROIT -- The Red Wings had to wait a while for Columbus to make a mistake in its first playoff game.

When the Blue Jackets did, the Red Wings took full advantage.

Detroit's Jonathan Ericsson was credited with a go-ahead goal with 6:39 left in the second period that Manny Malhotra redirected into his own net after trying to stop the puck with his glove, the defending Stanley Cup champions scored less than a minute later and went on to beat Columbus 4-1 Thursday night.

Chris Osgood made 20 saves for the Red Wings.

Rookie Steve Mason stopped the first 21 shots he faced before giving up three goals - two of which he was helpless - in a five-shot stretch.

Game 2 of the first-round series is Saturday night in Detroit.

Despite making their first postseason appearance in the franchise's eight seasons, Mason and the Blue Jackets looked as if they belonged on the same sheet of ice with the playoff-tested and talent-laden Red Wings for nearly two periods.

Mason turned away each of the 14 shots he faced in the first period, and Osgood had 13 saves in the scoreless first period.

Detroit's Jiri Hudler fired up a restless crowd by scoring midway through the first period.

Undaunted, Columbus scored less than a minute later.

R.J. Umberger made it 1-all at 11:40 of the second period and it wasn't until Malhotra made a gaffe a few minutes later that the Red Wings truly seized the momentum.

Ericsson lifted a shot from above the right circle toward the net, Malhotra stuck out his left glove while standing in front of Mason and the go-ahead goal was in the books.

Forty-eight seconds later, Nicklas Kronwall gave Detroit a two-goal lead on a shot that Mason never saw - until it was past him - because burly forward Johan Franzen was perched in front of him.

Less than 3 minutes into the third period, Franzen capitalized of two Blue Jackets going after Henrik Zetterberg behind the net and slipped a shot between Mason's right skate and the post to make it 4-1.

Mason finished with 30 saves.