DETROIT — The Detroit Red Wings took care of business early on Saturday.
Detroit scored three times in the game’s first six minutes and Brian Rafalski, Maria Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk each contributed a goal and an assist to help power the Red Wings to an 8-3 rout of the Edmonton Oilers.
Brett Lebda, Dan Cleary, Nicklas Lidstrom, Mikael Samuelsson and Ville Leino also scored for the Red Wings. Niklas Kronwall had three assists and Jiri Hudler assisted on two goals. Ty Conklin contributed 23 saves.
“We wanted to emphasize the start,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “(Edmonton) is in the eighth (playoff) spot. That means it’s a playoff game for them.”
Zack Stortini and Marc Pouliot each had a goal and an assist for the Oilers and Dustin Penner also scored for Edmonton. The Oilers’ Dwayne Roloson stopped 11 shots before being pulled after the first period.
