Updated

Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Justin Abdelkader tallied two goals as the Detroit Red Wings spoiled coach John Tortorella's return to the Vancouver bench after a six-game suspension with a 2-0 victory over the Canucks.

After allowing six goals in an overtime loss to Washington the day before, Jimmy Howard combined with Jonas Gustavsson for a shutout. Gustavsson started and turned aside eight shots before exiting after the first period due to dizziness.

Howard made 16 saves the rest of the way, and Abdelkader scored early in the second period and on an open net for the Red Wings, who posted to their second win in three games.

"It was a shock (getting into the game)," Howard said. "But sometimes it's easier to be surprised and go in and play."

Eddie Lack made 28 saves, but his effort was not enough for the Canucks, who dropped their fourth straight game.

Following a scoreless opening period, the Wings hit the scoreboard 1:08 into the second. Henrik Zetterberg worked the puck from behind the net and sent a backhanded pass to Abdelkader in the slot. He sent a rising wrist shot that beat Lack over the shoulder.

The Canucks had a chance to tie the game minutes later. David Booth was hooked by Jakub Kindl on a breakaway and was awarded a penalty shot. He entered the zone on the right side, but Howard stood tall in net to preserve Detroit's lead.

Darren Helm later came in all alone on a breakaway, but Lack made two stellar saves. The Vancouver netminder stopped Helm's initial wrist shot and then, while down, he threw up his glove to keep it a one-goal game with just under three to go.

Lack was pulled with 1:04 remaining in favor of an extra skater, but Vancouver's Alexandre Burrows went off for a cross-checking penalty with 39 seconds left. Abdelkader fired a shot from the neutral zone and missed wide, but skated past a Vancouver defender to notch his second of the night.

"We can't buy a win right now," Lack said. "I'm trying to do my job and keep us in every game. It's tough."

Game Notes

Howard and Gustavsson's combined shutout was the first for Detroit since Oct. 27, 2001 when Dominik Hasek and Manny Legace blanked Nashville, 1-0 ... Gustav Nyquist, who posted a hat trick in Sunday's 6-5 OT loss in Washington, was added to Team Sweden's Olympic roster to replace teammate Johan Franzen, who is out with a concussion ... Vancouver acquired defenseman Raphael Diaz from Montreal earlier Monday in exchange for forward Dale Weise ... Henrik Sedin made his return to the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury.