Last-minute goal upends Red Wings in 3-2 loss to Columbus

Columbus’ Derek Dorsett, left, spars with Detroit’s Jordin Tootoo in the first period.

DETROIT — Vinny Prospal scored with 24.7 seconds left, capping a comeback that lifted the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 3-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night

Damien Brunner and Valtteri Filppula scored in the first two-plus minutes of the game to put the Red Wings ahead by two, a cushion they wasted for a third time during their five-game losing streak.

R.J. Umberger’s power-play goal a couple of minutes after Detroit took its two-goal lead pulled Columbus within one. Derek Dorsett tied it in the third period.

Prospal’s backhander off crisp passes from James Wisniewski and Derek Dorsett ended the Blue Jackets’ three-game losing streak.

The game took a frightening turn early in the second period when Columbus center Artem Anisimov was taken off the ice on a stretcher after being struck in the head by Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey. Anisimov was alert and able to move when he was taken to a hospital as a precaution because he said his head hurt, according to team spokesman Todd Sharrock.

The medical staff for both teams helped put Anisimov on a backboard before he was taken off the ice. The Joe Louis Arena crowd was quiet while Anisimov was carefully being prepared to be put on a stretcher. Anisimov was cheered when he was wheeled off the ice.

Detroit scored on its first and third shots against Sergei Bobrovsky, who bounced back to finish with 28 saves.

Jimmy Howard stopped 21 shots for the Red Wings.

Early on, Detroit seemed to take advantage of playing a team that started the game with an NHL-low 10 points.

Brunner whiffed on a wraparound attempt and still had time to stuff the puck past Bobrovsky just 18 seconds into the game. Filppula redirected Brian Lashoff's shot with his stick, sending the puck low and between Bobrovsky's pads.

The Red Wings, though, showed that a two-goal lead isn't safe for their rebuilding team that is missing former defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart.

Jordin Tootoo picked a fight with Dorsett, who looked as though he was about to tangle with Jonathan Ericsson, and the Blue Jackets took advantage of a power play they got because the Detroit enforcer was given an instigation penalty and a misconduct.

The extra space, and skater, allowed Umberger to get to a loose puck in front of Howard and poke it past him.

Columbus tied it at 5:03 of the third period when Dorsett got a shot off from in front.

Tootoo drew Dorsett into an interference penalty midway through the game, but the Red Wings didn't take advantage of the power play or the two-man advantage they had briefly midway through the third.

NOTES: Detroit has lost five straight for the first time since dropping six in a row from March 10-21 of last season. ... The teams split the first two games of their series this season, both of which were in Columbus. ... Quincey skated off the ice following the collision with Anisimov and went to Detroit’s dressing room with an injured left leg. He didn’t return.