Red Wings top Blue Jackets in playoff opener.

Posted: 04.16.2009 at 11:59 PM

DETROIT (AP) --       DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Red Wings had to wait a while for
Columbus to make a mistake in its first playoff game.
      When the Blue Jackets did, the Red Wings took full advantage.
      Detroit's Jonathan Ericsson was credited with a go-ahead goal
with 6:39 left in the second period that Manny Malhotra redirected
into his own net after trying to stop the puck with his glove, the
defending Stanley Cup champions scored less than a minute later and
went on to beat Columbus 4-1 Thursday night.
      Chris Osgood made 20 saves for the Red Wings.
      Rookie Steve Mason stopped the first 21 shots he faced before
giving up three goals - two of which he was helpless - in a
five-shot stretch.