Recap: Detroit vs. Vancouver

Sports Network | November 13, 2009

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Henrik Zetterberg scored the game-winner early in the third period, as the Detroit Red Wings downed the Vancouver Canucks, 3-1, at Joe Louis Arena.

Zetterberg also had an assist for the Red Wings, who have won five of six. Niklas Kronwall also had a goal and an assist. Tomas Holmstrom added a goal for Detroit, which got 31 saves from Jimmy Howard in a close contest one night removed from the Wings' 9-1 road rout of Columbus.

Mason Raymond scored for the Canucks, who have lost three straight. Roberto Luongo stopped 26-of-28 shots in his return to the net. Luongo was making his first start since suffering a hairline rib fracture during a 5-4 loss to the Red Wings on October 27.

"I think we played a lot better than the score showed out there. I think we did a lot of good things that we talked about yesterday at practice, the unfortunate thing is that we ran into bit of a hot goalie and made a few costly mistakes," Raymond said.

With the score tied at 1-1, Zetterberg lit the lamp with 12 minutes remaining in regulation to put Detroit ahead for good. Brad Stuart slid a perfect pass from around center ice to a streaking Zetterberg at the blue line. He made his way towards the net and backhanded a shot into the upper portion of the net.

"I had a lot of speed and it was a nice pass. I tried to go high and Luongo went down," Zetterberg said of his game-winning goal.

Kronwall's empty-net goal in the final minute sealed the victory for Detroit.

Holmstrom's power-play goal with 2:29 to go in the first gave the Red Wings an early edge. Zetterberg controlled the disc below the right circle before sliding a pass in front to Holmstrom, who chipped the puck past Luongo.

The Canucks tied things up on Raymond's power-play score at the 6:38 mark of the second. Kevin Bieksa faked a shot from the point before attempting a pass in front to Raymond. The disc went off of Raymond's skate and into the net.

The Red Wings have won four of five and seven of their last 11 at home against the Canucks...Detroit started a four-game homestand on Thursday...Vancouver forward Jannik Hansen made his season debut after suffering a broken right hand in a preseason fight...Stuart had two assists in the game...Steve Yzerman, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night, dropped the ceremonial first puck on Thursday.