Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard returned to the net Friday, but his team may have been better off without him. Gabriel Bourque, Francis Bouillon, Alexander Radulov and Shea Weber each scored goals, respectively, for the Nashville Predators who handed the Red Wings their second straight loss, 4-1.
Howard saw just 26 shots and made 23 saves in hist first game back from groin injury, which has kept him out since March 19. Jiri Hudler scored Detroit's lone goal, however, it came late in the third period when the Red Wings were already down 3-0.
An empty net goal by Weber, with just 40 second remaining in the contest, cemented the victory for the Predators, who surpasses the Red Wings for fourth place in the Western Conference standings. The Chicago Blackhawks are now just two points behind Detroit for fifth place.
On Sunday, the Red Wings will try to get back on track as they host the Florida Panthers at 4 p.m.
For more on the Detroit Red Wings, check out Winging It In Motown. For more on the NHL in general, check out the SB Nation NHL hub at sbnation.com/NHL.