(Reuters) - The Detroit Red Wings blanked the Vancouver Canucks 2-0 at Joe Louis Arena on Thursday to extend their perfect start to the new season with a third straight win.
Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard made 25 saves for his first shutout of the season, and was in spectacular form in the first period stopping 12 shots including two from point-blank range on Daniel Sedin.
Detroit moved up a gear in the second period, outshooting Vancouver 24-8, and were rewarded with two goals.
Justin Abdelkader opened the scoring by converting a cross-ice pass from Todd Bertuzzi and Valtteri Filppula extended the lead to 2-0 less than three minutes later, completing a give-and-go from Johan Franzen with a weak shot that eluded Vancouver goalie Cory Schneider.
Vancouver had chances to get on the board, Cody Hodgson's shot at the end of the second period beating Howard but failing to cross the line before time expired and Alex Burrows hit the post with the goal wide open.
Detroit also shutout their previous opponents Colorado in a 3-0 win on Saturday with Howard's back up Ty Conklin in net.
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
