Red Wings 2, Canucks 0

DETROIT (AP) - Justin Abdelkader scored early in the second period and again in the final seconds while Jimmy Howard finished off a shutout that Jonas Gustavsson started for the Detroit Red Wings in a 2-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday night.

Two Red Wings goalies combined on a shutout for the first time since Oct. 27, 2001, when Manny Legace and Dominik Hasek did it in a 1-0 win at Nashville, according to STATS.

Gustavsson started and stopped all eight shots he faced in the first period, but didn't return to play because of dizziness. Howard had 17 saves and stopped David Booth on a penalty shot.

The Canucks had coach John Tortorella behind their bench and forward Henrik Sedin on the ice after both missed six games.
Tortorella was suspended for 15 days by the NHL for his conduct after a brawl in a game against the Calgary Flames. Tortorella went to Calgary's locker room following the first period, which began with several fights.
Sedin had been out since he was unable to finish the Jan. 18 game against Calgary because of an upper-body injury.
The Red Wings wanted to rest Howard, who had played two straight games following a four-game absence after aggravating a left knee injury, but he was forced into action.

Howard helped Detroit keep its slim lead early in the second period when he denied Booth's penalty shot.

The Canucks went on a power play for the fourth time 5:29 into the third period, but didn't take advantage. They had an extra skater again when Detroit had too many men on the ice with 4:37 left in the game. It turned into a 4-on-3 advantage when players from both teams were called for a penalty, but Vancouver couldn't convert.

Eddie Lack, starting a second straight game in place of Roberto Luongo, made 28 saves.

Lack gave up what appeared to be a soft goal, failing to stop a long shot from Abdelkader with his blocker, but helped Vancouver stay within a goal when Detroit had a 5-on-3 power play midway through the second period.

Lack also made three straight stops when Darren Helm had chances to score during Vancouver's final power play, including one sprawling stop in which he dove and got some of his glove on the puck.

The Canucks pulled Lack late in the game to add an extra skater, but teammate Alexandre Burrows was called for cross-checking with 38.7 seconds left. Abdelkader sealed the win with an empty-net goal with 15.7 seconds remaining.

NOTES: The Red Wings recognized people from both franchises who will represent their countries at the Sochi Games, including Detroit forward Gustav Nyquist, who is replacing injured teammate Johan Franzen on Sweden's roster.

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