Holmstrom's power play goal helps Red Wings

Detroit: Tomas Holmstrom broke a third period tie with a power play goal as the Detroit Red Wings beat the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Saturday and consigned the visitors to their third successive defeat.

Holmstrom lifted the Red Wings to their second win in a row after an 0-2 start when he scored with just under seven minutes remaining in the game.

"I was coming in on the right side, Pavel [Datsyuk] got the puck on the left side and I pretty much knew the pass was going to come," Holmstrom said.

"I just tried to get in good position and I put it high up."

The goal came after a hooking penalty on Washington's Mike Green.

"If we don't address our penalties it's difficult because it ruins the whole flow of our game. Our penalty killers are tired. Our top guns aren't on the ice. Not to mention they've got a five on four," Capitals defence man Brian Pothier said.

Ville Leino and Jason Williams also had goals for Detroit and Valtteri Filppula provided two assists.

Equaliser

Matt Bradley and Brendan Morrison scored Washington's goals with Morrison's tally levelling the score at 2-2 early in the third period.

Washington's Alex Ovechkin failed to score a goal for the second consecutive game but assisted on Morrison's goal.

"They have real good players," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said of Ovechkin and Russian team mate Alexander Semin. "We just tried to keep them under wraps."

Chris Osgood made 22 saves for Detroit with Jose Theodore recording 34 for Washington.

"He [Osgood] played great for us, especially in the penalty kill," Holmstrom said. "He played great against Chicago and I think he stepped up his game even more today, too. He looks really good."

RESULTS

(home team in CAPS)