Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Mike Modano scored in his Detroit debut and Jimmy Howard made 21 saves to record his fourth career shutout, as the Red Wings dominated the Ducks, 4-0, in the season opener for both clubs at Joe Louis Arena.
Modano, who grew up just 20 minutes from downtown Detroit, had spent his entire career with the Minnesota/Dallas franchise since being drafted by the club with the top overall pick of the 1988 draft. On Friday night, Modano scored the 558th goal of his career in a Red Wings uniform.
Dan Cleary and Pavel Datsyuk each had a goal and an assist for Detroit, which lost in the second round of the playoffs last season to the Sharks. Johan Franzen also lit the lamp for the victors.
Jonas Hiller turned aside 39-of-43 shots for the Ducks, who went 39-32-11 last season to finish 11th in the Western Conference.
It took the Red Wings just over five minutes to get on the board. Valtteri Filppula made a nice pass to Franzen, whose shot from the bottom of the right circle snuck past Hiller.
Detroit made it a 2-0 game just 24 seconds later. Brad Stuart kept the puck in the Ducks' zone along the left boards. His shot from the point was knocked down in the slot by Cleary, who slid a pass to Modano. The 40-year-old fired a wrister past the glove of Hiller.
The Red Wings tacked on another goal at the 5:29 mark of the second period. Datsyuk's shot in front of the net slid under the pads of goaltender.
Cleary lit the lamp with 3:05 remaining in the second to give the Red Wings a four-goal cushion. Datsyuk made a cross-ice pass to Cleary, who got a shot off before crashing into Hiller. The play was reviewed to determine if it was a goal. It was decided that the puck crossed the goal line before the net was dislodged.
Howard made six saves in the first period, nine in the second and six in the third to finish off the shutout.
Game Notes
The Red Wings and Ducks split four meetings last year, with both teams winning twice at home. Detroit has won five straight and 14 of its last 15 at home over Anaheim...Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler, who was selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2010 draft, made his NHL debut.