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

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.