DETROIT - Friday's game won't enable the Detroit Red Wings to sneak into the playoffs or diminish the Chicago Blackhawks' status as Stanley Cup contenders.
But, for the Red Wings, it was just like old times.
Tomas Tatar tallied two goals and an assist and Jimmy Howard made 24 saves in his first NHL game since Dec. 20 as the Red Wings defeated the Blackhawks 4-2 at Joe Louis Arena.
The Red Wings (26-29-11) snapped a three-game losing streak and stopped the Blackhawks' franchise-record eight-game road win streak in Chicago's final appearance at the Joe.
Gustav Nyquist had three assists and Henrik Zetterberg added two assists for the Red Wings, who also got goals from Xavier Ouellet and Andreas Athanasiou.