DETROIT – The skidding Detroit Red Wings got well again in several areas Saturday.
Tyler Bertuzzi picked up a goal and two assists and Alex Nedeljkovic made 22 saves for his first shutout as a Red Wing and fourth of his career Saturday in a 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena.
The Red Wings (17-17-5) stopped a four-game losing streak (0-2-2) with one of their most complete games of the season. The Sabres dropped to 11-20-6. The teams meet again Monday afternoon in Buffalo (1 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit).
The Red Wings scored twice on the power play for the only the second time this season. They were ranked 30th entering the game.
Lucas Raymond scored an important goal to give his team a three-goal cushion 13 seconds into the third period. He drove to the net and converted a pass from Dylan Larkin, who had two assists.
It ended the rookie’s 14-game goal-scoring drought that dated back to Dec. 1. He had eight assists during that span and added another on this night.
Michael Rasmussen capped the scoring by converting on a breakaway at 12:24 after exiting the penalty box.
The Red Wings needed a fast start after the way they have been struggling for offense, and they got it in the first period, one of their best periods in some time. They scored twice on the power play and registered 22 shots, their most in any period this season, while holding Buffalo to six.
Bertuzzi scored his team-leading 18th goal at 8:57, his ninth in his past 10 games. He cleaned up around the net, banging in a loose puck.
Robby Fabbri scored his 10th goal at 19:09, again, cleaning up around the crease by firing in a loose puck.
The Sabres had ample opportunities to trim the Red Wings’ lead in the second period with three power plays in the first 10:01. But they managed only three shots total in the six minutes.
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