NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Curtis Joseph was beaten in his return to the nets for the Detroit Red Wings, who never recovered from a three-goal second period and were beaten by the Nashville Predators, 5-3, in a fight-filled contest.
Sidelined since undergoing ankle surgery on August 19, Joseph lost his starting job when Dominik Hasek came out of retirement. After a brief stint in the American Hockey League, Joseph gave up four goals on 23 shots before he was pulled for an extra attacker with 90 seconds remaining.
Joseph's ankle was tested early. Just over three minutes into the game, he denied the Predators on a 2-on-1, kicking out Vladimir Orszagh's slap shot with his right pad.
"It's been a long time between NHL games, but physically I felt good. The ankle felt good," Joseph said. "Unfortunately, the outcome wasn't good."
"I thought Curtis was very good," Detroit coach Dave Lewis said. "For his first performance, he looked pretty strong."
Red Wings defenseman Mathieu Dandenault said Joseph could not be blamed for any of the goals, calling his play "awesome."
"He was really solid back there," Dandenault added.
Former Red Wing Greg Johnson scored twice in a 6:10 span of the second period and Scott Hartnell's tally made it 3-1 after 40 minutes.
It was Johnson's 12th career two-goal game and first since February 27. Rookie defenseman Marek Zidlicky picked up assists on both goals and also set up David Legwand's eventual game-winner on the power play midway through the third period.
"We started getting some momentum playing in their end and cashed in on a few opportunities," Johnson said. "It gives us confidence playing well against a great team like that."
Nashville avoided a fifth straight loss and defeated Detroit for just the fifth time in 26 meetings.
"We really needed to get a win," Predators coach Barry Trotz said. "We played hard. That's what this game is about."
This Central Division battle featured 18 fighting majors, including 10 in the third period, when Red Wings teammates Steve Yzerman and Kirk Maltby and Nashville's Scott Walker were ejected.
"It was a tough game, it was real chippy," Joseph said. "It was like old-time hockey."
Yzerman and Brett Hull scored third-period goals for Detroit, which has lost three straight for the first time since February 4-8.
Henrik Zetterberg scored the only goal of the opening period, putting the Red Wings in front.
Yzerman's power-play tally at 3:54 of the third cut Detroit's deficit to 3-2, but Legwand - a Michigan native - restored the Predators' two-goal cushion with a power-play tally at 10:50.
