CHICAGO - Henrik Zetterberg, Dan Cleary and Mikael Samuelsson scored in the first period, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 on Sunday night for their third straight win and seventh in eight games.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood (30) makes a save on a shot by Chicago Blackhawks' Rene Bourque during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Brian Kersey)

Jiri Hudler had two assists and the NHL-leading Red Wings beat the Blackhawks for the first time this season after losing their first four contests (0-3-1) against Chicago.

Rene Bourque scored for the injury-depleted Blackhawks, whose losing streak reached a season-high five games (0-4-1).

Detroit's Chris Osgood, who entered the game with a league-leading 1.71 goals-against average, made 19 saves. The Red Wings killed both Chicago power-play chances and have killed 25 straight over seven games.

Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin made 25 saves.

Blackhawks right wing Martin Havlat returned after missing six games because of a groin injury. Havlat, who sat out 22 games earlier this season due to an injured shoulder, has five goals and six assists in 12 games.

Still, the Blackhawks played without seven regulars — defensemen Brent Sopel (broken finger) and James Wisniewski (knee), and forwards Jonathan Toews (knee), Jason Williams (groin), Kevyn Adams (knee), Dave Bolland (broken finger) and Ben Eager (concussion).

Zetterberg opened the scoring just 50 seconds into the first period. He streaked down the slot unchecked, and beat Khabibulin on the stick side after taking a pass from Andreas Lilja. Zetterberg's goal was his 14th in 25 games against Chicago.

Cleary made it 2-0 with 5:54 left in the first. He fought off coverage by Patrick Sharp, drove to the net and jammed in a shot.

Samuelsson's power-play goal with 8.5 seconds left in the period extended Detroit's lead to 3-0. He scored on a drive from the left circle with traffic in front.

With 8.6 seconds left in the second, Bourque cut it to 3-1 when, at the front of the crease, he deflected in Tuomo Ruutu's shot from just inside the right point.

Notes:@ Zetterberg played his third game after missing five due to a back injury. He has points in each of his last eight games (five goals, eight assists). ... The United Center crowd of 21,869 was the Blackhawks' largest this season and third straight sellout. ... Chicago RW Troy Brouwer was in the lineup after being recalled from Rockford of the AHL on Saturday. ... Detroit LW Tomas Holmstrom missed his eighth game because of a bruised knee. Red Wings C Kirk Maltby sat out his 19th with a back sprain.