The Wings hadn't played since ending a five-game road trip Nov. 2 in Vancouver. But the Wings showed no ill effects from the layoff. In fact, the vast amount of practice time gave the Wings an opportunity to tweak things on defense -- and that was apparent in this victory. 'We didn't give up as much,' coach Mike Babcock said. Marian Hossa scored two goals and Chris Osgood supplied timely goaltending to give the Wings their ninth victory in 13 games (9-2-2). Hossa scored the Wings' first two goals and Kirk Maltby added his first goal of the season in the third period, giving the Wings a 3-1 lead. 'We had a whole lot of rest and we felt fresh obviously,' said Hossa, who has eight goals for the season. 'The first couple of shifts were a little rusty, but we kept our legs moving and created chances and tried to capitalize on them.' Travis Zajac scored for the Devils (7-4-2), his 10th of the season. New Jersey played its third consecutive game without Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Martin Brodeur, out for the next three months after undergoing elbow surgery last week. Still, it took a fine defensive effort by the Wings, especially in the third period (limiting the Devils to six shots), to clinch the outcome. 'The way we played in our own end in the third period was a big key,' Lidstrom said. Osgood made 24 saves for the Wings, including a beautiful stop on Devils forward Patrik Elias on the power play in the second period, with the Wings clinging to a 2-1 lead. 'I just got as much of my body to the net as I could,' Osgood said. 'I was happy I could cover it.' Saturday night fightWhat's better than Saturday night hockey and a heck of a fight early on? Darren McCarty and New Jersey's David Clarkson engaged in a lengthy, spirited battle at 2:04 of the first period, much to the delight of the crowd. It also seemed to spark both teams, specifically the Wings. 'I can't remember (as long of a fight),' said McCarty, whose had three fights in the last four games. 'Me and (Marty) McSorley had some long ones, but as Malts (Kirk Maltby) pointed out, that was 15 years ago. I'm not as young as I used to be. But things sometimes present themselves, and that presented itself early. It got the fans into it.' Babcock felt the fight was a plus. 'It's always good when guys stand up for each other,' Babcock said. 'Mac did a good job, it was a good fight.' Ice chipsBabcock said Johan Franzen (left knee) should be back against Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Franzen has missed five games since spraining his knee Oct. 25 in Chicago. ... Derek Meech replaced Brett Lebda (healthy scratch) in the lineup for a second consecutive game. Meech played 13 minutes 21 seconds, was plus-1, and had two hits. ... Meech slammed Devils forward Brian Gionta into the corner in the second period, forcing Gionta out of the game with an upper body injury. You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606 or ted.kulfandteom.