Athanasiou, Howard lead Red Wings past Senators, 3-2

DETROIT -- Andreas Athanasiou scored twice, including a penalty shot, and Jimmy Howard made 40 saves in his 500th game to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.

Frans Nielsen scored to break a 2-2 tie late in the second period.

Brady Tkachuk and Matt Duchene scored for Ottawa, and Anders Nilsson stopped 26 shots.

Nielsen got the winner with 3:00 left in the second period. He got his ninth goal, from the bottom of the left circle, by converting a pass from Darren Helm after a turnover by Senators defenseman Dylan DeMelo.

Duchene tied it at 2 with 6:21 left in the second. He skated around Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson and beat Howard for his 26th goal.

The Red Wings led 2-1 after the first period.

Athanasiou scored his first goal with 9:16 left in the first. He cut in off left wing, skated across the crease and beat Nilsson with a backhand shot.

Tkachuk tied it with 3:36 remaining in the opening period when he put in a loose puck from in front. It was Tkachuk's 13th goal.

Athanasiou restored Detroit's lead when he scored on a penalty shot with 2:18 left in the first. Ottawa defenseman Christian Jaros impeded Athanasiou on a breakaway attempt. It was Athanasiou's career-high 20th goal and third in two games.

Game notes
Detroit F Martin Frk cleared waivers and was assigned to AHL Grand Rapids. ... Ottawa was without G Craig Anderson (eye) and D Mark Borowiecki (lower-body injury). ... The Red Wings lead the NHL with four penalty shot attempts this season. They've been successful on two (both by Athanasiou), which ties the Vancouver Canucks for the league lead.

UP NEXT

Senators: At Winnipeg on Saturday night.

Red Wings: At Philadelphia on Saturday night.