Devils close out Joe Louis in defeat

DETROIT — The Devils could not spoil a special night for the Red Wings, instead they closed their season and Joe Louis Arena as a footnote to history.

Riley Sheahan had two goals and Henrik Zetterberg scored, helping the Red Wings beat the Devils 4-1 Sunday in a party-like atmosphere for the final game at the legendary arena.

“It’s unfortunate that both teams aren’t going to be in the playoffs,” Devil coach John Hynes said. “The last game of the regular season sometimes can be a tougher game for people to get up for, but to be in this environment in this building against the Red Wings is special.”

Zetterberg put Detroit up 3-0 midway through the second period following Sheahan’s and Tomas Tatar’s goals in the first.

Jimmy Howard stopped 24 shots for the Red Wings, who failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1990 to end a postseason streak that tied for the third longest in league history.

“We missed the playoffs and we still have this kind of support from the fans,” defenseman Niklas Kronwall said.

Cory Schneider made 31 saves for the Devils, who haven’t earned a spot in the postseason since advancing to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals.

New Jersey’s John Moore scored early in the third and teammate Taylor Hall had a goal overturned later in the period.