Howard makes 22 saves, Red Wings blank Oilers 3-0

[March 08, 2013]  DETROIT (AP) -- Jimmy Howard made 22 saves, and Jakub Kindl and Cory Emmerton scored in the second period to lift the Detroit Red Wings over the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on Thursday night.

Justin Abdelkader's empty-net goal put the game out of reach.

Howard made 36 saves in a win Tuesday against Colorado, but coach Mike Babcock wasn't all that impressed with his team's overall performance that night. The Red Wings were sharper defensively against Edmonton and took control in the second period, when they outshot the Oilers 15-7.

Detroit is 10-0-1 in its last 11 regular-season games against Edmonton.

The Red Wings have gone five games without allowing a goal in the first or second period, and the Oilers didn't do much to threaten that streak. Edmonton is 0-3-1 in its last four games.

After a scoreless first period -- a shot off the crossbar by Detroit's Kyle Quincey was the only noteworthy moment -- the Red Wings looked a bit more energized in the second.

Jordin Tootoo fought with Edmonton's Mike Brown early in the period, and Kindl opened the scoring less than a minute later. Kindl was caught between two Oilers when he managed a shot that slipped through goalie Devan Dubnyk and trickled across the line for a 1-0 lead.

The Red Wings added another goal after some sustained pressure when Emmerton took a pass from Drew Miller and beat Dubnyk high to the stick side from the slot.

Howard had to make a couple of terrific saves against the Avalanche and came within 90 seconds of a shutout in that game. He wasn't tested as much by Edmonton, even after the Oilers pulled their goalie with more than 2 minutes remaining.

Abdelkader's empty-netter was his first goal of the season.

NOTES: Detroit had 28 shots on goal. ... The Red Wings scored more than two goals for the first time in five games, but they've lost only once in regulation during that span. ... Edmonton's Taylor Hall was called for high-sticking 56 seconds into the game -- and that was the only power play for either team.

[Associated Press; By NOAH TRISTER]

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