In Detroit, the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets scored four straight goals to open the game and take a 4-0 lead in the middle frame.
They then needed to hold a late surge from the Red Wings in the third period to take a 4-3 win on Saturday night.
Elvis Merzlikins made 25 saves in the Columbus win.
The Blue Jackets improved to 13-27-2.
“This was an amazing game, and I’m so proud of how the guys played,” Merzlikins said. “We’re (almost) dead last in the League, but we haven’t quit playing hockey. They put us under a lot of pressure in the third period, and I’m happy we could hold them back and win.”
Patrik Laine scored twice in the first period, and once in the middle frame for a hat trick for the Blue Jackets.
“I’m obviously happy to get three goals, but I’m happier that we won the game,” Laine said. “That’s a lot more fun than losing another one.”
Vladislav Gavrikov added a single marker for Columbus in the first period.
“It’s not a secret, nothing has been going in lately,” Laine said. “So, I’ve been working hard and trying to shoot as many pucks as I can. Tonight I got a couple of bounces and the guys made some great plays.”
Detroit dropped to 18-16-7.
“Give Laine credit, those were three world-class finishes,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “He’s one of the best finishers in the world, but we made it too easy for him. We gave him so much time and space and it obviously burned us.”
The Red Wings rallied in the third period on strikes by Olli Maatta, Jake Walman. and Lucas Raymond.
“This has kind of been the story of our season, we can’t get on a run and string together some wins,” Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin said. “It’s frustrating because we win two or three and then have a game like tonight.”
Detroit scored their third goal of the final frame with just under five minutes left on the clock, but were unable to push through the tying marker.
“We knew they were going to push, and we haven’t been in that situation all year to be honest,” Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. “They came at us and we made a couple mistakes, but we got through it. This is a big step for this group.”
Ville Husso made 21 saves in the Detroit loss.
“We saw in the third period what we can do when our compete level is high,” Lalonde said. “The first period was a perfect example of what happens when that level comes off just a little bit.”
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