A balanced attack, with five goals from five different players, helped the Red Wings defeat the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena.

After spotting the Kings an early 1-0 lead on Derek Brown's first goal of the season, Detroit roared back with two goals in the second. Jonathan Ericsson lit the lamp past Jonathan Quick at 3:33. Five minutes later, with Los Angeles a man down for too many men on the ice, Nicklas Lidstrom's shot was tipped off the stick of Tomas Holmstrom to make it 2-1. 

In the third period, the Red Wings were down a man when Jarret Stoll pulled down Kris Draper. The official waited a beat to make the call, infuriating Stoll, but off the ensuing faceoff, Lidstrom set up Henrik Zetterberg for his first of the season. It was Lidstrom's 1,000th point, earning him a standing ovation at the TV timeout. After Justin Williams brought Los Angeles back to within one, Kirk Maltby's slapper from Todd Bertuzzi put Detroit back up by two. With Quick pulled for the extra attacker, Brian Rafalski exited the penalty box and put the puck into the empty net for the final goal of the night.

Player of the Game: Nick Lidstrom. Two assists tonight, the second making him the eighth defenseman in NHL history with 1,000 points, gives it to him.