Datsyuk has goal and assist; Kronwall nets winner in Red Wings’ 2-1 victory over Oilers

DETROIT – Niklas Kronwall’s third-period goal broke a tie, and Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and an assist in the Detroit Red Wings’ 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday.

Henrik Zetterberg had two assists, and Jimmy Howard made 23 saves for Detroit (6-4-1).

Rookie defenceman Justin Schultz scored the lone goal for Edmonton (4-4-3), and 40-year-old Nikolai Khabibulin stopped 28 shots in his first game of the season

Kronwall’s power-play tally at 6:08 of the third period gave Detroit a 2-1 lead. His first goal of the season was scored with a slap shot from the high slot. It came as Edmonton’s Chris VandeVelde served a penalty for hooking Justin Abdelkader.

The Red Wings killed off a two-man disadvantage that lasted 1:07 early in the third period.

Schultz’ power-play goal made it 1-1 with 2:05 left in the second period. His fourth goal came on a wrist shot from about 10 feet inside the blue line, while Zetterberg was in the penalty box for holding Corey Potter.

Datsyuk opened the scoring with a power-play goal 8:33 into the second period when he jammed a shot through Khabibulin’s pads. Datsyuk’s fourth goal came just after Detroit failed on a 5-on-3 power play.

Khabibulin denied Damien Brunner’s tip try with 3:46 remaining in the middle period.

The first period was scoreless. Edmonton’s Ben Eager had the best chance when he hit the goal post with about 9:30 remaining in the period.

NOTES: Wayne Gretzky said in a NHL.com interview that Zetterberg is his favourite player of the last 10 years, and that he believes Zetterberg was the best Swedish player in NHL history. … Detroit forward Todd Bertuzzi didn’t play because of back pain. C Darren Helm has been limited to one game this season because of back problems. . Edmonton C Ryan Nugent-Hopkins returned after missing one game because of an injured shoulder. . Oilers D Jeff Petry was born in Ann Arbor, Mich., grew up in suburban Detroit, and played at Michigan State. Potter, who is from Lansing, also played at Michigan State. . Kronwall’s goal was his 50th in the NHL.