Johan Franzen scored two goals and Nicklas Lidstrom added a pair of assists in his first game back from an MCL strain as the Red Wings withstood a furious Nashville rally in the third period to defeat the Predators 4-3 in Joe Louis Arena Sunday afternoon.

Detroit scored three power play goals -- the most in a single game since December -- and stretched their current winning streak to three games. The Red Wings maintained a seven-point advantage over No. 2 Dallas in the Western Conference race. Detroit also has three games in hand on the Stars.

The Red Wings jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on a pair of power-play scores. Franzen opened the scoring at 11:17 when he tapped in a beautiful pass from Henrik Zetterberg. Jiri Hudler scored his first goal in 21 games just over four minutes later when he connected on a cross-ice feed from defenseman Niklas Kronwall.

Kronwall, who returned to action on February 29th following a shoulder injury, added two assists. In four games since returning to the lineup, Kronwall has six assist and is a +6.

Detroit extended the lead to 4-0 in the second period. Defenseman Brad Stuart made it 3-0 with his first goal as a Red Wings when his wraparound attempt found the inside of the far post past goaltender Chris Mason.

Franzen made it 4-0 at 16:27 of the second when he deflected Lidstrom's point shot.

The Predators mounted a furious rally in the final 10 minutes of the third period that was kickstarted by a power-play blast by Shea Weber with 8:36 remaining. Another power play goal three minutes later -- this one off the stick of Martin Erat -- cut the lead to 4-2.

Jordin Tootoo's rebound goal with 1:01 left closed the gap to 4-3, but the Predators failed to score the equalizer.

Mason turned aside 29 of 33 shots for the Predators while Dominik Hasek turned away 20 of 23.

Detroit finished 3 for 8 on the power play. Nashville closed out 2 for 7.