NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Andreas Johansson signed with the Nashville Predators as a free agent this summer in order to make a difference.

That's exactly what he did Saturday night when he scored two goals and added an assist as the Predators won their first game of the season, beating the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings 3-1.

"We can't celebrate like we won the Stanley Cup, but we did something good," Johansson said. "I don't think I had played well the last couple of games, but I felt good in this game. I want to be someone who can be counted on to score goals for this team.

"I've been disappointed that we haven't scored more goals. Our line has had opportunities. This was one game where everything worked for us."

The Predators signed Johansson with the hope that he could add to the offense, but even Nashville coach Barry Trotz is a little surprised that Johansson leads the team in points with five goals and three assists.

"We talked to a number of people before we signed him, and he is probably considered more of a defensive guy," Trotz said. "But we knew he had some skill and quick hands and feet. We are just asking him to put pucks on the net and see if he can create something."

All the scoring came in the first period with Johansson tallied his first goal at 3:39 with a backhander over the left shoulder of Detroit goalie Curtis Joseph.

The Red Wings answered quickly on a power play when Nicklas Lidstrom scored from the left circle on a perfect pass from Igor Larionov against Nashville's Mike Dunham at 5:22.

But just over a minute later, Kimmo Timonen's slap shot from the blue line was deflected past Joseph by Adam Hall at 6:16 to give the Predators a 2-1 lead. Johansson was credited with an assist on the power-play goal.

"We played a full 60 minutes," Dunham said. "After they scored to make it 1-1, the big key was for us to come right back and score right away on our power play. We didn't really get down."

Johansson, stationed by the left goal post, scored his second goal came at 10:05 when he poked the rebound of David Legwand's shot past Joseph.

The Red Wings picked up the tempo in the third period with 17 of their 38 shots.

"I thought we had some outstanding chances, especially in the third period," Detroit coach Dave Lewis said. "You think you can get a goal and make it 3-2. But we couldn't make it happen.

"We weren't sharp early. Nashville was a desperate team and they showed that early. That is what eventually won the game for them."

Notes:@ Greg Classen, recalled earlier in the day, made his first appearance for Nashville. ... The Predators are 5-5-2 at home against the Red Wings. ... Predators rookie Scottie Upshall has a plus or even rating in all six games he has played this season. ... The Red Wings, with the top power play in the NHL, had one goal in five attempts. ... The Predators' next seven games are on the road during a 14-day stretch.