DETROIT – Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler both had a goal and assist, and the Detroit Red Wings scored five times in the first period of their 5-2 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night.
Todd Bertuzzi, Tomas Holmstrom, Darren Helm also scored for Detroit, Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg had two assists each, and Jimmy Howard made 30 saves. The Red Wings scored on their first two shots of the game.
Datsyuk left in the second period because of an undisclosed lower body injury and didn't return.
Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal scored for Phoenix. Mike Smith stopped seven shots before being replaced late in the first period by Jason LaBarbera, who made 20 saves.
The Red Wings led 2-0 less than 2½ minutes into the game.
Bertuzzi scored from the slot at 1:16 as his shot deflected off the skate of Phoenix defenseman Derek Morris for Bertuzzi's second goal. Filppula netted his ninth at 2:09 when he put a shot past Smith from in front of the net.
Holmstrom converted a rebound for a power-play goal with 5:14 left in the opening period. Helm scored his fourth of the season just 43 seconds later, sending Smith to the bench in favor of LaBarbera.
Hudler added his fourth goal with 42 seconds left in the first.
Vrbata's 14th of the season put Phoenix on the board with 4:45 left in the second period. Hanzal added his fourth goal, on the power play, with 8:28 left.
NOTES: Filppula returned after missing Tuesday's game because of a cut on his right shin. He wore a kevlar sock. . Phoenix D Rositslav Klesla missed his third game with a lower body injury. . The Red Wings have outscored opponents 15-0 in the first period over the last nine games. They last allowed a goal in the opening period on Nov. 19. . Detroit last scored five goals in the first period on Feb, 7, 2009.
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