Red Wings 5, Devils 2

DETROIT (AP) - Brendan Shanahan made a case for a spot on Team Canada the same day Steve Yzerman's decision to withdraw his name from consideration for the upcoming Olympics became public.

Shanahan had two goals and moved into 15th place on the NHL's career list, and Yzerman scored to lead the Detroit Red Wings past the New Jersey Devils 5-2 Tuesday night.

"If they ask me to play in Italy I'd go, but I'd be surprised if they did because I haven't heard my name mentioned as a candidate," said Shanahan, who turns 37 before the Turin Olympics begin in February. "There are a lot of young players to choose from, but I would be honored if they asked me to be on the team."

Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom and Jason Williams scored late in the second, giving Detroit a two-goal lead, and Yzerman made it 5-2 midway through the third.

The crowd chanted "Stev-ie! Stev-ie!" for the 40-year-old captain, who said he called Wayne Gretzky, the executive director of Hockey Canada, a couple of days ago because the team has a deadline coming up to select its roster.

"It was the right thing to do," Yzerman said after scoring his fourth goal of the season and 682nd of his career. "I would've loved to play in the Olympics again, but I believe it's time for me to step aside. It's time to let other guys play."

Shanahan began the game tied with Hall of Famer Mike Bossy among the top goal scorers in league history. He made it 1-1 in the first period, and his 575th goal got the Red Wings even at 2 in the second.

"Bossy would've been higher on the list had he stayed healthier during his career," said Shanahan, who has 17 goals in 29 games. "But I never expected to have a career like this, so I have to say this is a thrill because I'm a big fan of him.

"Now, I have a long ways to go to catch the next guy."

Jari Kurri is 14th with 601 goals.

The Red Wings avoided losing three straight at home for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

"I think we just had a lot more energy," Yzerman said.

Viktor Kozlov and Zach Parise scored for the Devils, who had won four of five.

Detroit's Chris Osgood got off to a shaky start, allowing a goal on two shots, before finishing strong with 25 saves. Osgood has played sparingly this season because of a groin injury.

"I hope (the pain) is gone after the Olympic break," Osgood said.

Scott Clemmensen, giving Martin Brodeur a rest, allowed five goals on 44 shots.

"They don't let up," Clemmensen said. "They score a lot of goals and they score them in bunches.

"The first half of the game, we thought it was kind of playing more to our style, a little bit slower."

New Jersey assistant coach John MacLean said Clemmensen played well.

"He made some big saves out there," said MacLean, filling in for Larry Robinson, who missed the game because of illness. "You can't really fault him on any of the goals.

"He played well. We had chances of our own. Osgood, he's a veteran goalie. He made the saves when he had to."

Notes: Robinson has missed two games because of a throat infection. MacLean was behind the bench for New Jersey's shootout win over Minnesota on Saturday. ... Lions president Matt Millen could not escape the wrath of fans even at a hockey game. During the third period, a fan held up a "Fire Millen" sign and the crowd responded with loud "Fire Mil-len!" chants. ... Detroit's Mathieu Schneider assisted on Shanahan's second goal, giving him 400 career assists.