DETROIT, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Saku Koivu and defenseman Andrei Markov scored in a 3:12 span of the third period Thursday night as the Montreal Canadiens bounced back from two poor defensive performances and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings brought back a host of familiar faces as they celebrated their third championship in six years. Former coach Scotty Bowman, former goaltender Dominik Hasek and former defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov were among those on hand.
Detroit grabbed a 1-0 lead in its home opener, but the Canadiens roared back with the next three goals and recorded their first win at Joe Louis Arena since April 11, 1992.
Andreas Dackell started the comeback 12 seconds into the second period and Koivu put Montreal in front for good at 6:40 of the third. The Canadiens' captain charged down the slot on a two on one and, while falling, deflected Richard Zednik's centering feed past goaltender Curtis Joseph.
Markov gave Montreal some breathing room with an almost identical play. Yanic Perreault fired a pass from high in the right faceoff circle that Markov redirected for his first goal of the season.
Starting in place of Hart Trophy winner Jose Theodore, Jeff Hackett surrendered a late goal to Pavel Datsyuk but made 33 saves for his first win in Detroit in eight decisions. Hackett improved to 2-12-1 lifetime on the road against the Red Wings.
