The Detroit Red Wings made quick and easy work of the Nashville Predators on Monday night in Detroit, scoring goals in each period while not allowing any en route to a 4-1 win.
Detroit put to rest a two-game slide thanks to goals by Valtteri Filppula, Pavel Datsyuk and Daniel Cleary. Filppula started and ended Detroit's scoring in the first and third periods, respectively, pushing his goal count to 12 for the season.
Jimmy Howard saved 31 shots for Detroit as Nashville outshot Detroit 32-22 on the evening overall, but the Red Wings were 5-5 on the penalty kill and Howard soaked up the Predators' pressure throughout the game.
With the win, Detroit has 45 points, good enough for third place in the Central Division but also just three points behind the Chicago Blackhawks for first place in the Western Conference.
Detroit returns home following the four-game road trip to host the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. That game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. EST.