Updated

Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Jaroslav Halak stopped 17 shots while Anders Lee netted the winning score midway through the second period as the New York Islanders recorded a 2-1 win over Detroit at Joe Louis Arena.

Brock Nelson picked up a goal and one assist for the Islanders, winners of three in a row who closed the gap over idle division-leading Pittsburgh to two points.

"We're fortunate in certain ways," Isles head coach Jack Capuano said. "Some teams we struggle with. Obviously, they're a good hockey club. Not saying that we have their number, but any time you play them, you know that you have to be at your best and have guys step up to the occasion."

Henrik Zetterberg's first-period marker was all the offense for the Red Wings, whose season-high losing skid reached five games.

Petr Mrazek took the loss, having given up the lead goal on 23 shots in relief of Jimmy Howard. Howard exited after the first period due to a lower-body injury having stopped eight shots.

Mrazek gave up New York's go-ahead score to Lee just after the midway point of regulation but it wasn't without controversy.

Nelson stripped Wings forward Riley Sheahan between the circles, faked out Mrazek and tucked a shot through his pads which rested inches from the goal line. Lee followed up and swatted the puck just over the line before Jonathan Ericsson swept it back into the crease.

A brief replay confirmed the shot was good.

Detroit's Justin Abdelkader went off for tripping with 3:35 to play, and teammate Darren Helm had a partial short-handed breakaway foiled by the close checking of Isles blueliner Lubomir Visnovsky as his low shot just slid wide of the right post.

Mrazek went to the bench for an extra skater for the final 68 seconds of regulation but the Wings failed to extend the contest.

"We had good, good chances but we never hit the net. You've got to hit the net on some of them," said Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock. "I thought it was a pretty high-level hockey game. I was impressed with their team, but I was impressed with lots of things we did, too."

Zetterberg gave the hosts a lead less than nine minutes in thanks to a one- timer from distance.

Nelson tied the game with just under three minutes left in the first period when his diving poke at a Visnovsky rebound slid through Howard's pads and in.

Game Notes

New York set a new franchise record for consecutive wins in Detroit with five, having not lost there since Nov. 28, 2003 (6-0) ... The Islanders won four straight at the Olympia from March 3, 1977-Dec. 17, 1978 and from Jan. 23, 1980-Dec. 20, 1981 at JLA ... Prior to the game, the Islanders activated defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Travis Hamonic from injured reserve ... The Red Wings scratched forward Johan Franzen due to flu-like symptoms ... Zetterberg scored for the first time since Nov. 26 against the Flyers, snapping a 10-game drought.