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Final Score: Columbus 2 - Detroit 3

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Pavel Datsyuk netted his team-leading 25th goal and Jimmy Howard continued a hot stretch of goaltending, as Detroit extended its season-high winning streak to seven games with a 3-2 win against Columbus at Joe Louis Arena.

Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom each had a goal and an assist and Todd Bertuzzi provided what amounted to the game-winning score in the third period following a late Blue Jacket goal.

Howard made 20 saves in his 24th consecutive start for the Red Wings, who have rode the stellar goaltending of their rookie netminder to firmly entrench themselves in the playoff picture.

"We control our own destiny," said Bertuzzi. "We are a confident bunch, we are doing the right things and winning these close games -- that's what you need to do in the playoffs."

Howard has made 11 consecutive starts without a regulation loss (10-0-1) and was anointed Rookie of the Month for March prior to the game.

Detroit remains with the sixth seed in the Western Conference, one point behind Nashville (96), whom the Red Wings host on Saturday. The Predators maintained their slim advantage in the standings via a 3-2 win against St. Louis Thursday.

R.J. Umberger and Andrew Murray scored for the Blue Jackets, who had won two in a row and three of four games overall but remain out of the playoff race.

"It just seems like everything is going against us right now," said Umberger. "We fought hard -- they're a good team and they deserved to win tonight."

Steve Mason was peppered with 32 shots and yielded all three Detroit scores.

Datsyuk broke the 1-1 deadlock 8:08 into the middle frame with a power-play marker. The Russian sniper took control of a Columbus turnover in the right circle, swiveled into the slot and released a rising shot over the right shoulder of Mason.

Bertuzzi was credited with a disputed goal 1:13 into the third for a 3-1 Detroit lead. Henrik Zetterberg slid a centering pass toward the crease and Bertuzzi had the puck glance off his skate while being checked into Mason by a Columbus defender. The play was reviewed extensively before being held up as a good goal.

It proved pivotal as Columbus wouldn't go quietly. The visitors were awarded a power play on Patrick Eaves' hooking penalty with 2:18 remaining. Fedor Tyutin had a shot from out at the right point deflected by Umberger on the way in to make it a one-goal game with 1:13 to go.

Howard buckled down to make the necessary saves the rest of the way, surviving a feverish attack with Mason on the bench.

Detroit gained the early advantage with Holmstrom's 22nd of the year just 2:21 in. A Blue Jacket turnover gave Datsyuk possession along the right boards and his pass ahead to Holmstrom resulted in a second-chance stuff-in at the near post.

Murray evened things up with his fifth goal of the season at 12:51 of the first for a tie game after 20 minutes.