The Detroit Red Wings dominate the Blues on Saturday afternoon

When you're hot, you're hot. The Detroit Red Wings hammered the St. Louis Blues on Saturday afternoon 6-1. Points are at a premium this time of year, and the Red Wings have done a tremendous job of acquiring them recently. Make it four straight victories for Detroit.

The Red Wings flew out of the gate to begin Saturday's matinee, scoring three goals just over five minutes into the contest. The Red Wings would end the first period with a 4-0 lead, which eventually helped them cruise to a 6-1 victory. Detroit chased starting goaltender Jordan Binnington after one period of play. I don't know if it was because they were on a National broadcast today or what, but Showtime was not only Patrick Kane; it was a host of Red Wings' players.

Speaking of Kane (1G, 1A), he, Michael Rasmussen (1G, 1A), Alex DeBrincat (2G, 1A), and Lucas Raymond (2A) posted a multi-point performance that helped Detroit widen the gap in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race. Goaltender Alex Lyon made 22 saves.

The Detroit Red Wings currently control the first wild card position in the East with 68 points, a mere three points ahead of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but have two games in hand. The Lightning play the New York Islanders on Saturday afternoon. The Islanders are one of many Eastern Conference teams in the Wild Card race with 60 points heading into Saturday's full slate of games; the others are New Jersey and Washington, with Pittsburgh right on their heels with 58.

The Detroit Red Wings blowout the St. Louis Blues 6-1.

Kane opened the scoring just 33 seconds into the game with a gorgeous one-timer goal setup by Shayne Gostisbehere, while Alex DeBrincat received the secondary helper.

Detroit's second goal came from the newly extended Michael Rasmussen. The 6-foot-6 forward deposited a beautiful feed from Lucas Raymond past a helpless Binnington on a two-on-one rush. Rasmussen left little doubt on the play, burying the pass into the gaping goal.

The Red Wings followed with goals from Robby Fabbri, Alex DeBrincat (2), and J.T. Compher to seal the victory. The Kane/DeBrincat connection is something to behold. Check out their two-on-one rush late in the second period. It was DeBrincat to Kane, back to DeBrincat, and into the back of the net. The chemistry between these two is so fun to watch; the sauce pass from Kane is second to none. He's, if not the best, one of the best passers to ever play the game.

The Detroit Red Wings will square off with the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow evening (Sunday). There is a bunch to unpack in this one. The Hawks will be retiring former Red Wing and Blackhawk legend Chris Chelios' No. 7 before the game. It will also be Patrick Kane's first time back in Chicago since being traded to the New York Rangers before last season's trade deadline. And although he's been back, DeBrincat and Kane skating with the winged wheel together against their former club will be something fun to witness....for Red Wings fans. Also, the Red Wings will have yet another opportunity to stretch their lead in the playoff race against an inferior opponent on the road before returning home to face the Capitals, Islanders, and Panthers.