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Final Score: Nashville 2 - Detroit 5

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Darren Helm scored a pair of goals, as the Detroit Red Wings handled the Nashville Predators, 5-2, in a battle between Central Division foes at Joe Louis Arena.

Pavel Datsyuk had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings, who have won three of four since a four-game skid. Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom also lit the lamp for Detroit, which needed only 20 saves from Jimmy Howard.

"These are extremely important games for us now," Helm said. "Coming out flat like we did in Vancouver is not acceptable. Today was a lot better effort by us."

Joel Ward and J.P. Dumont each scored for the Predators, who had a three-game win streak come to an end. Dan Ellis turned aside 27-of-31 shots in defeat.

The Red Wings drew first blood at the 7:44 mark of the first period. Datsyuk stole the puck from Nashville defenseman Kevin Klein in front of the Predators' net and made a nice move to his backhand before lifting the disc past Ellis.

Holmstrom's power-play goal with six minutes remaining made it 2-0. Nicklas Lidstrom then slid a perfect pass in front to an open Holmstrom, whose tip-in gave the six-time Norris Trophy winner his 800th career assist.

Detroit extended its lead to three on Helm's score at the 3:35 mark of the second. Helm controlled the puck in the slot and fired a snap shot past Ellis.

Helm then scored a short-handed goal at the 9:10 mark to make it a 4-0 game. However, Dumont lit the lamp less than two minutes later to cut the gap to three heading to the third.

Ward's one-timer from the left circle at the 3:15 mark of the third cut the deficit to 4-2.

Zetterberg scored an empty-net goal with 3.2 seconds remaining to account for the final margin.

"They had a little more jump then us tonight," Predators head coach Barry Trotz said. "We turned the puck over in crucial areas."