NHL: Detroit 4, Phoenix 3

DETROIT, April 16 (UPI) -- Pavel Datsyuk scored a goal and added three assists Saturday for Detroit, which outlasted Phoenix 4-3 to post a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

Datsyuk's tally midway through the first period was the first of four straight goals that put the Red Wings comfortably ahead. Brian Rafalski, Darren Helm and Tomas Holmstrom also found the net during the span.

But Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard (30 saves on 33 shots) was touched for three goals after that.

He yielded markers to Radim Vrbata and two to Coyotes captain Shane Doan in the third period before shutting the door over the final 11 minutes, helping Detroit take a commanding lead as the series shifts to Phoenix for Monday's Game 3.

Doan added an assist and Vrbata chipped in a pair of helpers for Phoenix, which got 27 saves from Ilya Bryzgalov in the setback.