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Detroit • Jimmy Howard failed to stop Alex Ovechkin's shot in the final seconds of regulation. But that was the last time he let a puck get past him in a successful return to the ice.
Patrick Eaves scored on Detroit's seventh attempt in a shootout and Howard denied Washington seven times, giving the Red Wings a 4-3 victory over the Capitals on Friday night.
Howard made 26 saves after missing four games with an injured left knee.
"I felt surprisingly good," he said. "I didn't have any issues at all with the knee, which I think is a great sign because I came back last time and still felt it every once in a while."
Ovechkin tied the game with 7 seconds left in the third period, but was one of seven shooters who couldn't score on Howard.
Detroit's Gustav Nyquist scored a tiebreaking goal midway through the third period, but the Red Wings couldn't prevent the NHL's goal-scoring leader from sending the game to overtime. The Capitals pulled their goaltender late in regulation and the move paid off. After a short break on the bench, Ovechkin sent a slap shot past Howard and into the net to make it 3-all.
Rangers 4, Islanders 1 • In New York, Derick Brassard scored the go-ahead goal with 7:46 left in the third period and the New York Rangers beat the New York Islanders for the second straight game. The Rangers topped the Islanders 2-1 outdoors at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night.