The battle for last place — or, rather, to avoid the Central Division cellar — has been set.
The Red Wings jumped out of the basement Friday, rallying for a 5-2 victory over Columbus.
Joe Veleno scored his first NHL goal, a power play goal, followed by Danny DeKeyser and Jakub Vrana goals, all 3 minutes 2 seconds apart late in the second period, erasing a 2-0 Columbus deficit.
Vladislav Namestnikov added two empty net goals (ending a 17-game drought), and goaltender Thomas Greiss stopped 22 shots for the Wings.
Greiss, who isn't expected to get Saturday's start, will end the season without a regulation time loss in nine games (6-0-3) allowing only 15 goals in that span.