COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jimmy Howard stopped Jared Boll on a penalty shot and finished with 34 saves to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Friday night in a fight for the Western Conference lead.
Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula scored for Detroit, coming off a 5-1 loss at Atlanta on Saturday night. The Red Wings killed all five Columbus power play en route to their ninth victory in their last 12 games.
Antoine Vermette scored midway through the third to spoil Howard’s shutout bid.
The Blue Jackets, wearing their recently unveiled capital blue and antique white, cannon-crested third jersey, had their winning streak snapped at five — one short of tying the franchise record.
Steve Mason made 20 saves for Columbus.
