The Detroit Red Wings lead the New Jersey Devils, 2-0, after one period in their game tonight at the Prudential Center.
The Devils lead in shots, 13-10.
Detroit struck twice in the opening 1:42 seconds to take the lead. In the Devils last home game, a 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on December 2, the Devils allowed two goals in the first 1:38.
Tomas Holmstrom gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead only 28 seconds into the first period. Pavel Datsyuk put a wrist shot on net from the slot that Holmstrom deflected. The puck hit the right post and caromed off the back of Martin Brodeur's arm and into the net for Holmstom's ninth goal of the season.
Dan Clearly extended the lead to 2-0 at 1:42 of the opening period. Cleary received a pass from Todd Bertuzzi in the neutral zone and brought it down the left side. The Red Wings right-winger rifled a shot past the glove of Brodeur for his 13th goal of the season.
The Devils had the opportunity to get back in the game on their first powerplay chance. New Jersey had several chances down low, including two chances with the puck loose in the crease. But Nicklas Lidstrom played hero, twice clearing the puck.