DETROIT – Kris Draper and Johan Franzen scored 1:34 apart late in the second period to put Detroit ahead and Chris Osgood made 31 saves to help the Red Wings hold on for a 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks in a rematch of Western Conference finalists on Thursday night.
Detroit came from behind to win its home opener after blowing a pair of two-goal leads in losses to the St. Louis Blues in Sweden.
Patrick Sharp's goal early in the second period gave the Blackhawks a 1-0 lead. Nicklas Lidstrom tied it midway through the period on a shot that caromed off Chicago's John Madden and past goalie Cristobal Huet.
Kris Versteeg pulled the Blackhawks within a goal midway through the second period, but they couldn't get another shot past Osgood.
Huet made 21 saves.
The Red Wings eliminated Chicago from the playoffs last season in five games, then came within a win of repeating as NHL champions.
Detroit began to put memories of its Game 7 loss to Pittsburgh in the past with a solid showing against its biggest Central Division rival. The Blackhawks improved themselves with the signing of Marian Hossa after his one-year shot at the Cup with the Red Wings didn't work out.
Hossa, though, is out until at least November after having shoulder surgery.
The Blackhawks took the first lead and had chances to add to it, but Osgood played well after he was shaky against the Blues in Sweden.
Chicago hurt its comeback chances with 8 minutes left when Brent Seabrook was called for hooking. The Red Wings played conservatively the rest of the game to keep their lead.
Detroit gave Chicago a great opportunity, though, with 1:38 when Niklas Kronwall was called for holding.
NOTES: The Red Wings signed 37-year-old F Brad May on Thursday and sent F Justin Abdelkader to Grand Rapids (AHL), hoping he would add toughness. May did, getting into a fight with Dustin Byfuglien midway through the first period. ... Sharp has scored in all three of Chicago's games. ... Former Red Wings and Blackhawks player Chris Chelios, a 47-year-old defenseman, might try to continue his career with the AHL's Chicago Wolves.