Penguins beat Red Wings 4-3 in shootout, Blue Jackets move into top wildcard spot

PITTSBURGH 4 – DETROIT 3 (SO)

In a game where the Penguins were badly outplayed at even strength, two James Neal power play goals and having some luck on their side was the difference in the game as the Penguins prevailed with a 4-3 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings.

Jussi Jokinen netted a third period goal and scored the only goal in the shootout. Marc Andre Fleury earned his 39th win of the season. He gave up an iffy third period goal with 1:15 left as the Penguins were holding a 3-2 lead but came up with some sensational saves in overtime and another one in the shootout on Daniel Alfredsson.

Kris Letang had an assist and played 22:30 in his return to action. Letang was named the games No. 1 star.

The Red Wings not able to leave Pittsburgh with two points could end up being the difference of seeing Boston in the first round and not Pittsburgh.

The Columbus Blue Jackets won in Dallas tonight, 3-1, and have moved into the top wildcard spot as they own the ROW and head to head tiebreaker over the Red Wings. If the Red Wings and Blue Jackets are tied in points at the end of the regular season, the Blue Jackets will win the tiebreaker.

A Columbus win also puts pressure on the Philadelphia Flyers. Detroit, Philadelphia and Columbus are all tied with 91 points. The Flyers still control their destiny over Columbus as the Flyers have a game in hand.