Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Red Wings score goal in opening minute of Blues showdown

Red Wings forward Patrick Kane got the scoring going early on Saturday in a pivotal game against the Blues.

Kane scored 33 seconds into the game to give Detroit an early 1-0 lead in the matchup of wild-card hopefuls.

Forward Alex DeBrincat and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere were credited with assists on the perfectly executed sequence. Kane had the puck as he crossed Detroit's blue line and passed it to DeBrincat while trailing the play. DeBrincat passed to Gostisbehere to his left, where he found Kane in space for the shot on goal.

The Red Wings (30-20-6, fourth in the Atlantic) entered Saturday as the No. 1 wild-card team in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Blues (30-24-2, fourth in Central) hold the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, tied with the Predators at 62 points.

The quick strike set the tone for an offensive flurry by the Red Wings in the first six minutes. Detroit added two more goals by centers Michael Rasmussen and Robby Fabbri for a 3-0 lead five minutes and 24 seconds into the game.

DeBrincat added a fourth goal on a power play later in the period.

Both teams are looking to return to the postseason this year and need as many points in the standings as possible to get there.

The Blues saw their four-year playoff streak snapped last season as they finished sixth in the central division.

The Red Wings last made the playoffs during the 2015-16 season. The seven-year layoff is tied for the longest in franchise history. The drought will be over soon based on Detroit's performance in the first period.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Prolific former Brewers, A's slugger announces retirement
Watch: Padres star passes father on all-time home runs list
Saints to sign veteran offensive lineman
Smother's Day: Pacers shut down Knicks in first half of Game 4
Flyers goaltender suspended from international play for three years
Pistons make wrong kind of history at NBA Draft Lottery
Watch: Pacers C Myles Turner makes absurd three-pointer in first quarter vs. Knicks
Hawks win 2024 NBA Draft Lottery
Giants place key outfielder on injured list
Broncos release former Super Bowl champion WR
Novak Djokovic thinks water bottle incident may have played role in surprising loss
Steelers agree to deal with veteran CB
Bruins captain out for Game 4 vs. Panthers
Veteran WR announces retirement from NFL
Mavericks come from behind to down Thunder, take 2-1 series lead
Stars continue road dominance with Game 3 win over Avalanche
Watch: Paul Skenes wastes no time showing why Pirates drafted him No. 1 overall
Watch: Braves were one out away from first no-hitter in 30 years
Roman Wilson hopes to become Steelers' next 'great' WR
Chargers sign veteran edge-rusher

Want more NHL news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.