But, as Dylan Larkin noted, it’s only natural to peek at the standings, especially when things are going as well as they have been the past 2½ weeks for the Detroit Red Wings.

Kent Johnson had a goal and an assist and Adam Fantilli scored a goal to stretch his point streak to eight games. Van Riemsdyk's second was an empty-netter with 2:01 remaining. Elvis Merzlikins made 18 saves as the Blue Jackets improved to 16-5-3 at home.

Cam Talbot made 41 saves and the Detroit Red Wings scored three power-play goals in a 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday night in Sunrise, Fla.

Larkin lights the lamp twice and picks up an assist for Detroit, which has scored multiple power-play goals in six of its last eight games