Detroit 4, Pittsburgh 1

Johan Franzen scored the go-ahead goal on the power play early in the third period and the visiting Detroit Red Wings skated to a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.

Jimmy Howard made 25 saves for his NHL-best 18th victory as Detroit improved to 9-0-2 in its last 11.

Pavel Datsyuk added a goal and assist, and Danny Cleary scored a pair of late third-period goals to lift the Red Wings to their third straight win.

Franzen's game-winning tally at 5:15 of the third was his 10th with the man advantage, tying Pittsburgh's James Neal for the league lead. Datsyuk assisted on the goal, giving him eight-multi point games in his last 12.

The Penguins, playing their third straight game without superstar Sidney Crosby, stunned the Wings in the final seconds of the first period to take a 1-0 lead.

With Detroit buzzing the net, Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik blocked a shot. Neal corralled the loose puck and banked a pass up the boards to Evgeni Malkin, who skated down the right wing before beating Howard to the far side at 19:55.

Datsyuk tied it at 16:01 of the second period. Todd Bertuzzi forced a turnover and flicked a pass to Datsyuk, who whistled a high backhander past Marc-Andre Fleury.

• Pittsburgh will play their next game on the road against Pittsburgh . The Penguins have a W/L % of .471 after a win and .643 after a loss.
• Detroit will play their next game on the road against Nashville . The Red Wings have a W/L % of .842 after a win and .300 after a loss.