Jimmy Howard blanks Senators, Red Wings win third straight

Detroit – With two more goals from players they hope are future stars, the Red Wings defeated the Senators 2-0 in a matinee game at a two-thirds full Little Caesars Arena Saturday for a rare, third consecutive win.

Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou scored the goals for the Red Wings.

Jimmy Howard stopped 31 shots for a shutout and his 22nd win of the season.

After a difficult month at the end of a consecutive difficult season, the Red Wings have their second three-game winning streak of 2017-18. They won four from Dec. 29 to Jan. 5.

The Wings have had back-to-back victories eight times this season.

In the third period, Athanasiou scored his 16th goal, tied for third on the team despite a late…