Red Wings- Blue Jackets: Columbus Plays First Playoff Game in Detroit

The Stanley Cup Playoffs began Thursday night in Detroit, as the Red Wings and Blue Jackets battled it out in a very entertaining game as Detroit defeated Columbus 4-1.

Both teams came out strong and when Brad Stuart had a bad giveaway Chris Osgood assured Wings fans there is a reason he is the starting goaltender with a great save.

As tempers flared and both teams started to take bad penalties it was unclear which team would score first, but as the first period came to an end neither team did and it ended scoreless.

With the second period underway great hits and great skill continue to be shown and it wasn't until midway through the second that Jiri Hudler scored his 6th career playoff goal to give his team a 1-0 lead.

30 seconds later however R.J Umberger scored a goal to give it a 1-1 tie.

Marian Hossa had a great opportunity with an open net but it hit a stick and missed the net but Jonathan Ericsson scored his first playoff goal in his first playoff game to give a 2-1 lead.

After Vermette took a hooking penalty Niklas Kronwall scored a powerplay goal for a 3-1 lead.

With the third period the only hope left for Columbus winning game one they continued to play strong but Osgood continued to be red hot and make great saves.

Johan Franzen however, denied all hope the Blue Jackets had from a great feed from Henrik Zetterberg for his 18th playoff goal and a final score of 4-1

Game two is Saturday in Detroit.