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Nashville Predators break losing streak vs. Detroit Red Wings with 4-2 victory

Red Wings left wing Justin Abdelkader, left, is defended by Nashville Predators defenseman Mattias Ekholm in the second period Tuesday in Detroit. (AP photo)

DETROIT — Viktor Arvidsson is playing some of his best hockey of the season and helping the Nashville Predators get some big wins.

Arvidsson scored his third goal in two games and the Predators ended their seven-game losing skid against Detroit with a 3-2 victory over the Red Wings on Tuesday.

Scott Hartnell and Kyle Turris also scored, and Juuse Saros stopped 34 shots for the Predators, who improved to 7-2-2 in their last nine games. Nashville also ended a three-game losing streak in Detroit since a win on Nov. 19, 2013.

Arvidsson, who scored twice in the Predators’ 5-2 win over Ottawa on Monday, now has eight goals and five assists in the last 14 games.

“The last two games, I think our line has been a lot better and we’re playing with a lot of confidence,” Nashville’s Ryan Johansen said. “Arvie has been a huge factor in that, because he’s been making plays all over the ice lately.”

Arvidsson’s goal at 4:50 of the third period pushed the Predators’ lead to 3-1. The puck skipped over the stick of Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, allowing Arvidsson to get in alone and snap a shot by Howard on the stick side.

Andreas Athanasiou and Tomas Tatar scored for the Red Wings, and Jimmy Howard finished with 26 saves.

The Predators grabbed the lead just 4:18 into the opening period. Roman Josi’s wrist shot from the point deflected off the right skate of Nashville forward Hartnell before settling into the net behind Howard.

The Red Wings got on the board at 10:12 of the second as Athanasiou slipped behind the Nashville defense, took a pass from Dylan Larkin and beat Saros with a stick-side deke move. It was Athanasiou’s first goal in 12 games.

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