DETROIT — The way the Detroit Red Wings have been playing, it was only a matter of time before Jimmy Howard ended up with a shutout.
Howard made 22 saves, and Jakub Kindl and Cory Emmerton scored in the second period to lift the Red Wings over the Edmonton Oilers 3-0 on Thursday night.
Detroit has gone five games without allowing a goal in the first or second period, and Howard blanked Edmonton in the third as well for his second shutout of the season.
“I think we’re playing really well as a team right now. We’re doing a lot of great things," Howard said. “When you work hard and you pay attention to detail, good things happen."
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.
Also on Thursday:
Devils 3
Sabres 2
NEWARK, N.J. — David Clarkson and Patrik Elias scored in a shootout and New Jersey rallied from a late two-goal deficit to defeat Buffalo, snapping a season-high six game winless streak.
Capitals 7
Panthers 1
WASHINGTON — John Erskine, Wojtek Wolski, John Carlson and Mike Ribeiro all scored before the game was 8½ minutes old, and Washington climbed out of a tie for last in the Eastern Conference.
Rangers 2
Islanders 1
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Marian Gaborik scored a power-play goal 42 seconds into overtime to help the New York Rangers beat the New York Islanders.
Penguins 5
Flyers 4
PHILADELPHIA — Chris Kunitz scored his second goal just 18 seconds into the third period to cap a four-goal rally. Pascal Dupuis, James Neal and Tyler Kennedy also scored goals for the Atlantic Division-leading Penguins, who won their third straight game.
Bruins 4
Maple Leafs 2
BOSTON — Tyler Seguin had two goals and an assist and Patrice Bergeron had one of each to pace Boston.
Blue Jackets 2
Canucks 1
COLUMBUS, OHIO — Matt Calvert carried the puck almost from end to end, twice avoiding opposing players, before skating to the slot and scoring on a rising wrist shot as Columbus beat Vancouver.
Jets 2
Lightning 1
TAMPA, Fla. — Bryan Little scored a tiebreaking goal late in the third period and Al Montoya made 28 saves as Winipeg beat Tampa Bay.
Canadiens 4
Hurricanes 2
RALEIGH, N.C. — Brandon Prust and Lars Eller each had a goal and two assists to lead Montreal.
Blues 6
Coyotes 3
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Patrik Berglund scored twice in a span of 2:22 to lead St. Louis over Phoenix.
Stars 5
Kings 2
LOS ANGELES — Jaromir Jagr had his first multi-goal game since opening night, Brenden Morrow got the go-ahead goal in the third period, and Dallas ended the Kings’ six-game home winning streak.
