Recap: Nedeljkovic, Red Wings shut out Buffalo, 4-0

The Detroit Red Wings bounced back in a big way on Saturday night, scoring a pair of power-play goals and receiving 22 saves from goalie Alex Nedeljkovic in a 4-0 shutout win over the Buffalo Sabres at Little Caesars Arena.
Tyler Bertuzzi scored on the power play at the 8:57 mark of the first period, and Robby Fabbri converted on the man advantage in the 20th minute of the frame. It marked the first time the Red Wings scored at least two power-play goals since Nov. 7 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Lucas Raymond and Michael Rasmussen both scored in the third period to complete Detroit's dominant offensive output. Nedeljkovic recorded his fourth career shutout, and his first as a Red Wing.
The win snapped Detroit's four-game losing streak, and upped its season record to 17-17-5.
NEXT UP: Detroit can secure a season sweep against the Sabres on Monday, when the division rivals go head-to-head for a 1 p.m. puck drop at the KeyBank Center. The matinee will be in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and will be carried by Bally Sports Detroit and the Red Wings Radio Network.

SCORING SUMMARY

Detroit 1, Buffalo 0 (8:57, 1st Period)
Detroit got on the scoreboard first for the first time in the last five games, with Bertuzzi converting a power-play rebound. It was his ninth goal in his past 10 games against the Sabres. Dylan Larkin and Filip Zadina collected assists on the goal.

Detroit 2, Buffalo 0 (19:09, 1st Period)
The Red Wings doubled their lead after Fabbri, assisted by Raymond and Bertuzzi, converted a slap shot on the power play.

Detroit 3, Buffalo 0 (00:13, 3rd Period)
Just 13 seconds into the final period, Vladislav Namestnikov passed the puck to Larkin, who fed Raymond as he skated towards crease. Raymond then snuck a backhanded shot past Buffalo goalie Aaron Dell to extend Detroit's lead to 3-0. It was the Wings' fastest goal scored to start a period this season.

Detroit 4, Buffalo 0 (12:24, 3rd Period)
Rasmussen scored on a breakaway skating out of the penalty box to complete the game's scoring. The goal was assisted by Filip Hronek and Bertuzzi. It was Hronek's 100th career point.

Jeff Blashill on what Detroit can take away from the shutout

"It's a relentless league, and it was a good win. There were moments when we played good hockey, but we got to go win a hockey game Monday. I think very quickly, we have to turn the page to what we did well, what we didn't do well, review that, go over it tomorrow and go try to win a hockey game on Monday."

Blashill on the importance of offense and slotting Bertuzzi in the second line

"I think it's critical. I think it's critical to have balance. You then look at it, and you really feel that you have two real dangerous offensive lines."

Bertuzzi on what the win meant for the Red Wings

"This was a big win, especially at home. After getting shut out, last game, I think we showed up and had a really good game. Now, we just got to back it up Monday."

Bertuzzi on Raymond's first goal since Dec. 1

"I think I went 14 games two seasons ago [without a goal]. You just got to keep grinding it out and keep going to the net. That was a good, grinding goal and now he's going to keep going."