NHL: Detroit 2, Los Angeles 1

DETROIT, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Chris Osgood, playing for the first time in two weeks, made 30 saves Friday night to help the Detroit Red Wings fight off Los Angeles 2-1.

Osgood, who recorded a 14-4 playoff record last season while leading Detroit to its 11th Stanley Cup title, was given some time off by the coaching staff after losing his form. He was almost perfect against the Kings Friday while the Red Wings were winning their second game in a row.

Detroit moved within three points of idle San Jose for the best record in the Western Conference.

The only goal against Osgood came from Alexander Frolov on the power play 4:48 into the third period. That made it a 2-1 game, but the Kings could not get the equalizer and lost for the seventh time in nine contests.

Derek Meech and Tomas Kopecky scored for the Red Wings. Detroit winger Kirk Maltby appeared in the 1,000th game of his NHL career.