Bertuzzi, Red Wings defeat Blue Jackets in OT

DETROIT -- Tyler Bertuzzi scored 15 seconds into overtime to give the Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday.

Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins made the save on Dylan Larkin's shot on the first rush of overtime, but the rebound went in off Bertuzzi's leg for his 50th NHL goal.
"I was just trying to go strong to the net and the shot hit me in the leg and went in, but I'll take it," Bertuzzi said. "We played really well for 60 minutes tonight, and I thought we deserved to win this one."
Anthony Mantha and Bobby Ryan scored, Larkin had two assists, and Jonathan Bernier made 22 saves for the Red Wings (2-2-0), who lost 3-2 to the Blue Jackets on Monday.
"It's very significant for us to win two of these first four games," Larkin said. "I really like the way we've played every game with the puck, we've had a lot of confidence, and our goaltending has been great. Starting the season this way has been huge."
Boone Jenner and Alexandre Texier scored for Columbus (1-2-1). Merzlikins made 24 saves.
"We just haven't developed enough in these games; we've been sloppy," Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. "There wasn't much offense out there for either team."
Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill split up the usual top line of Bertuzzi, Larkin and Mantha, but they remained on the same power-play unit and Larkin and Bertuzzi were together to start overtime.
"I wasn't trying to send any message; I just wanted to spread out our scorers and see if we could develop some new chemistry," Blashill said. "It evened out the playing time a little bit, and everyone responded with a good game."

Jenner gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 1:38 of the second period with a high wrist shot.
"We've got to get things going," Jenner said. "We have got to be better in a lot of areas to give ourselves a chance."
Mantha scored into an open net off the rebound of a Bertuzzi shot on the power play to tie the game 1-1 at 3:37.
"We're not getting down this year when we give up a goal," Bertuzzi said. "We know we have to keep our composure on the bench and just make sure we come back with a good, hard shift. I think we did that again tonight, and we got rewarded."

Ryan gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead at 11:17 when he flipped in a loose puck from below the right hash marks. He is the first player to score four goals in his first three games with Detroit.
"I really didn't have any expectations either way, because I didn't want to judge him before he got here, but he's been outstanding," Blashill said. "I know he worked hard on his skating during the break, and it has been very good. When he's skating like this, it allows him to use his whole skill set, and those skills are why he was such a high draft pick (No. 2 by Anaheim Ducks in 2005 NHL Draft)."
Texier tied it 2-2 at 5:04 of the third period with a shot from the left point. The Red Wings were assessed a minor penalty for delay of game after Blashill's unsuccessful challenge for goaltender interference.
Columbus won its previous seven games in Detroit dating to Dec. 9, 2016.