DETROIT - The omens were all good for the Detroit Red Wings from the moment Dallas Stars coach Marc Crawford filled out his lineup card.

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Detroit Red Wings' Brad Stuart (23) celebrates his goal on Montreal Canadiens with teammates Brett Lebda (22) and Daniel Cleary (C) during the first period of NHL hockey game in Montreal, November 21, 2009.

Photograph by : Reuters

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Crawford opted to start goalie Marty Turco in his personal house of horrors known as Joe Louis Arena rather than Alex Auld, who had beaten the Wings at the JLA less than two weeks ago.

Turco had won only once in his previous 11 regular-season visits in his nine-year NHL career and he added another disappointing chapter to his history in Detroit with a 4-1 loss Monday.

"It's just one of those things," Detroit centre Kris Draper said. "We get some goals and bounces (versus Turco)."

The win snaps Detroit's four-game losing streak at home before a crowd listed generously at 17,645.

The Wings had been blanked in the last two of those defeats, but they didn't make those in attendance wait long for a goal this time.

Dallas defenceman Karlis Skrastins fanned when he went to touch the puck for an icing and Drew Miller threw the loose puck into the goal crease, bouncing it in off Dallas defenceman Trevor Daley at 13:48.

The goal ended the Wings' home scoreless streak at 156:30 - the fifth longest drought at home in franchise history.

"We found way to lose the game and not even compete in it," said Dallas forward Steve Ott.

"Their puck possession, continuing the uptempo pressure made it hard for us to match them shift for shift. I found myself chasing the game rather than being involved in it (and) contributing."

However, the Stars deadlocked the contest after a period when defenceman Stephane Robidas fired a low shot from the point that somehow went through goalie Jimmy Howard's legs at 19:45.

It would be the only mistake Howard would make in winning for the seventh time in his last 10 starts.

"The only questions I've been answering have been about my own ability," said Howard, who made 30 saves. "I know I can do it. It's just a matter of getting out there and proving I can do it."

The Wings picked up the tempo in the second period, getting goals from Darren Helm and Dan Cleary to take a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

However, no Turco visit would be complete without a bizarre goal and sure enough it came 3:35 into third period on Todd Bertuzzi's shot from the hash marks along the right-wing boards.

"I love to score and when you're not scoring it's not that much fun," said Bertuzzi, who also picked up an assist. "I just shot it on net.

"I think he thought I was going to make a pass. He was moving towards the right a little bit and I caught him short side."

Windsor Star

dwaddell@thestar.canwest.com