NHL: Detroit 7, Columbus 2

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DETROIT, March 26 (UPI) -- Tomas Holmstrom netted a pair of goals Monday and the Detroit Red Wings clinched a playoff spot with a 7-2 victory over Columbus.

Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and an assist as the Red Wings cruised to a second straight win following a season-worst six-game skid, officially securing a post-season berth.

Gustav Nyquist, Jiri Hudler, Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart scored for Detroit, while Todd Bertuzzi and Henrik Zetterberg each had four assists.

Ty Conklin made 24 saves for the Red Wings, who leapfrogged past idle Nashville into fourth place in the Western Conference with 97 points.

The Blue Jackets got a goal and an assist from Rick Nash.

Steve Mason started in goal for Columbus but was removed after yielding six goals on 28 shots. Allen York relieved and turned aside 10-of-11 shots the rest of the way.