By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Hossa leads Red Wings past Thrashers
1025Thrashersmja
The shot from Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterber (not shown) gets past Atlanta Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) during the first period Friday in Detroit. - photo by Carlos Osorio

DETROIT — Marian Hossa had two goals and an assist, Henrik Zetterberg also scored twice and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Atlanta Thrashers 5-3 on Friday night.

Dan Cleary also scored and Chris Osgood made 30 saves for the defending Stanley Cup champions, who won their third straight.

Jim Slater, Ron Hainsey and Brett Sterling scored for Atlanta and Kari Lehtonen stopped 41 shots.
Hossa gave Detroit a 2-1 lead for good with his first goal. He picked up a loose puck just inside the Atlanta blue line, cut in off the left wing, used a fake and a toe drag while cutting across the slot on defenseman Mathieu Schneider, a former Red Wing, and goalie Kari Lehtonen and put the puck into the empty net.

Hossa's third goal of the season made it 3-1, 5:29 into the second period on a one-timer from the bottom of the left circle after a give-and-go with defenseman Niklas Kronwall.

Zetterberg got his second goal of the night and fourth of the year just 1:12 later on a rebound.

Hainsey scored a five-on-three power play goal 4:48 into the third period, when he beat Osgood with a one-time slap shot from the top of the left circle for his second goal.

Sterling pulled Atlanta to within won with 3:49 left in the third period when his shot from the slot got through Osgood.

Cleary added an empty-net goal with 35 seconds left.

Zetterberg's power-play goal gave Detroit a 1-0 lead 2:12 into the game.

Slater tied it with 5:25 left in the opening period when he put in a rebound after a turnover in his own zone by Red Wings defenseman Brett Lebda.

Notes: The last time Atlanta visited Joe Louis Arena, on Jan. 15, Hossa scored four goals while playing for the Thrashers in a 5-1 win over the Red Wings. ... Atlanta RW Jason Williams is also a former Red Wing. ... Slater was born in Lapeer, Mich., and played at Michigan State. ... Thrashers C Marty Reasoner limped off the ice and went to the locker room after blocking a shot early in the second period. ... Detroit D Brian Rafalsi got an assist to extend his point streak to start the season to seven games (a goal and seven assists).

Regional events