Jimmy Howard lifts Wings to second straight win, 3-1 over Canucks

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Detroit -- The Red Wings seemed to be on the ropes from the opening faceoff Thursday, but goaltender Jimmy Howard kept them propped up just long enough for Henrik Zetterberg to sneak behind the Vancouver defense, lift a back-hander over Roberto Luongo eight minutes into the third period and send them to a 3-1 victory over the Canucks.

It was the Red Wings' fifth win in their last six games. They've allowed just four goals in those five wins. They are now 9-3-3 since opening the season with two losses in Sweden.

Zetterberg took a perfect two-line pass from Brad Stuart at the Canucks' blue line and went in on Luongo alone. He roofed his back-hander, popping the water bottle on top of the net.

Tomas Holmstrom scored the Wings' first goal, a power-player marker in the first period. Niklas Kronwall's 190-foot shot caromed off a Canucks' defenseman and went into the empty net for the clinching third goal.

Fittingly, Howard got an assist on the goal.

Because make no mistake, Howard saved the Wings' bacon in this one. The Canucks dominated the puck-possession game throughout. Howard made 30 saves and was cat-quick on numerous tips and redirections around the net.

The Wings' defense kept the heat off of him for the most in the final 12 minutes of the game, but he was brilliant, subbing for Chris Osgood who was out because of the flu.