Franzen Powers Wings to 4th Straight Win

[March 26, 2008]  ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Johan Franzen's power-play goal snapped a third-period tie and Henrik Zetterberg added his 150th career goal, helping the Detroit Red Wings beat the St. Louis Blues 2-1 on Tuesday night for their fourth straight victory.

Andy McDonald scored in the second period for the Blues, who played their first home game in 22 days following a season-long nine-game trip necessitated by arena commitments. St. Louis, eliminated from the playoffs for the third straight season on Monday, is 1-7-2 in its last 10 games.

Franzen is the hottest player on the NHL's top team, with 11 goals and 15 points in his last 11 games. He totaled 18 points in the first 56 games while playing on the third line, and has thrived on the top power-play unit with Tomas Holmstrom sidelined by a groin strain.

Chris Osgood made 17 saves for the Red Wings, who secured their third straight 50-win season on Sunday and lead the NHL with 108 points. They've won nine of their last 11, outscoring the opposition 39-23.

The Blues have lost their last three by one goal and have played 35 one-goal games overall, going 14-9-12.

The Red Wings dominated in the third period, outshooting the Blues 12-3, and quickly capitalized when Paul Kariya was whistled for hooking. The puck took a high bounce after Manny Legace stopped Nicklas Lidstrom's shot from the left circle and Franzen was ready when it came down for a quick tap-in at 8:22.

Zetterberg's team-leading 41st goal, a backhander on the rebound of a Dan Cleary drive at 15:49, was the only scoring of the first period. Zetterberg has five goals and three assists in his last five games.

McDonald stole a clearing pass just outside the blue line and skated in alone on Osgood at 2:36 of the second for 16th of the season to tie it at 1.

Notes: Cleary returned after missing 19 games with a broken jaw sustained at Toronto on Feb. 9. He had surgery on Monday to remove wires holding the jaw together. ... Holmstrom missed his eighth game with a groin strain, while Blues RW Dan Hinote (stomach) missed his 14th game and D Jay McKee (foot) missed his third. ... McDonald had been limited to one goal in his previous five games. ... Red Wings D Chris Chelios played in his 1,612th game, tying Ray Borque for seventh on the career list. ... Kariya has no goals in his last 20 games and only four in his last 40.

[Associated Press; By R.B. FALLSTROM]

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