Brian Hedger
DETROIT – On a team having a roller-coaster start to its season, consider Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov the team's designated stabilizer.

The Coyotes came into Joe Louis Arena on Thursday night without a win in three games and seeking more consistency than they'd shown in going 2-3-3 in their first eight games. After a hard-fought 4-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings, they got a little taste of what they were searching for - but once again it was their stabilizer leading the way in goal.

Bryzgalov improved to 3-1-3 by making 43 saves, handing Detroit (5-2-1) its first regulation loss on home ice this season.

"He gives us a chance to win every time he's in there," said Coyotes Head Coach Dave Tippett, who implored his team in a meeting on Wednesday to find its identity. "When you look at our top players and their production so far, it hasn't been very good. The margin for error is pretty slim, and he makes sure that margin for error stays close. He's been the one constant."

Bryzgalov is especially tough when spotted an early 3-0 lead, as he was on Thursday. Detroit goalie Chris Osgood, starting in place of injured Jimmy Howard, allowed three first-period goals in less than five minutes and didn't get settled until the second period.

That turned out to be enough for the Coyotes, who got a pair of goals by Lauri Korpikoski - the eventual game-winner at 11:56 of the first period and an empty-netter to seal it. Tippett was pleased with the first period when Phoenix outshot the Wings 15-11 and took that big lead into the first break despite killing three Detroit power plays.

"That first period is probably as good a period as we've played this year, other than the penalties," he said. "We just did a lot of things how we want to play."

Radim Vrbata and Keith Yandle also scored for the Coyotes in the first.

Osgood rebounded and finished with 32 saves on 35 shots, giving the Wings a chance to come back. Osgood didn't find out about Howard being scratched with back spasms until the afternoon, after Howard had already participated in the morning skate and seemed OK.

Osgood started playing better in the second and came up with several big saves in the final two periods -- three in the second when another goal could have put the game away. Instead, Johan Franzen potted his sixth goal of the season at 13:05 of the second to get the Wings on the board and cut the lead to 3-1.

That goal came on a power play, when Jiri Hudler fired a shot from the top of the left circle that Franzen redirected between Bryzgalov's pads. Tomas Holmstrom then scored his second goal of the season 3:56 into the third to make it 3-2. Bryzgalov made three straight saves on Pavel Datsyuk by closing off the right post, but Holmstrom poked the loose puck between his pads.

The Wings then peppered Bryzgalov with shots - outshooting Phoenix 17-12 in the third and 34-21 in the last two periods. Thanks to Bryzgalov, it wasn't enough.

"You have a better chance of capitalizing on those power plays if you're not down 3-0 and you're not pressing," Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock said. "Catch-up hockey is losing hockey. That's a fact. You've got to get started on time."

EDITOR'S NOTE: Dave Vest of phoenixcoyotes.com and the Associated Press contributed to this recap.

The Coyotes entered the game knowing that their chances to win the game would be enhanced if they scored the first goal; playing from behind is not their forte. That's why Radim Vrbata's goal at the 7:00 mark of the first period was so critical.

Tied 0-0, Vrbata took control of the puck at the red line and split defenders Jakub Kindl and Ruslan Salei en route to the Detroit goal. Once at the crease, Vrbata went forehand-backhand on Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood and gently flipped the puck into the net.

Click here to watch the KEY MOMENT.

• Six of forward Lauri Korpikoski's 13 NHL goals have come in three games.

• Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 43 shots, tying a career-high for saves in one game.

• Defenseman Derek Morris suffered a lower-body injury in the third period. He left the game and did not return. He will be re-evaluated by team doctors in Phoenix on Friday.

• Forward Petr Prucha's assist on Radim Vrbata's goal was his first point of the season.

• The Coyotes upped their record to 3-0-2 in games in which they've scored the first goal.

• The Coyotes scratched Paul Bissonnette, Sami Lepisto, and Wojtek Wolski.

• The Coyotes flew back to Phoenix immediately after the game. Phoenix's next game is on Saturday vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning at Jobing.com Arena. The puck drops at 6 p.m. (Arizona time). Click here for TV info. The game can be heard on XTRA Sports 910.

"We played better tonight than the last couple games. First period, we had a great one. We (defended) well, we were strong around our net and our defensemen didn't give (their) forwards rebounds." "You take a wrist shot just past the blue line, you don't expect it to go in. Maybe (it) knuckleballed a little on him. Good things happen when you shoot the puck." "I thought they were a lot hungrier than we were. I thought they came out with a better jump. I thought they were quicker on pucks and they capitalized on their chances they got, too." Bryzgalov Korpikoski Lidstrom