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Mar 18, 2010 - 6:43 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

Detroit (34-23-12) at Edmonton (21-42-7), 9:30 p.m. EDT

Special teams are playing a vital role in the Detroit Red Wings' resurgence. They may need to rely on them again in order to avoid losing three in a row to the Edmonton Oilers for the first time in 23 years.

The Red Wings look to match their longest winning streak of the season when they visit the NHL-worst Oilers on Friday night.

Detroit (34-23-12) has won three straight and seven of nine in perhaps its best stretch of 2009-10. The Red Wings are one point ahead of Calgary for eighth place in the Western Conference as they attempt to extend their 18-year run of playoff appearances - the longest in major professional sports.

"If we play good, we're going to get into the playoffs, so that's what we try to do," coach Mike Babcock said. "What I like is, I think we've won seven of our last nine. It looks like we're going in the right direction."

Superb play on special teams has keyed the Wings' surge.

Detroit has converted 12 of its last 36 power plays, scoring at least one power-play goal in 10 consecutive games. The penalty killing has also come up big, as the Wings have killed off 10 straight short-handed opportunities over six contests.

Detroit's opponents went 3 for 49 on the power play in the last 16 games.

"When the power play's constantly having to turn their back and go back and get the puck, it leaves them no time to get set up," said the Wings' Jimmy Howard, who has a 1.33 goals-against average during the three-game winning streak.

On Monday, Tomas Holmstrom scored the deciding goal with 1:29 left, the Wings killed three off power plays and Pavel Datsyuk converted their only chance with the man advantage in a 2-1 victory over Calgary.

While a meeting with the Oilers (21-42-7) would seem to be an ideal chance for the Wings to equal their season-best four-game win streak, Detroit has dropped both meetings this season, allowing 10 goals.

They have not lost three in a row to Edmonton since a 13-game skid in the series from March 19, 1983-March 11, 1987.

Detroit has failed to score on four power-play chances in the two matchups, while Edmonton has gone 2 for 4 with the man advantage.

Howard lost both games with a 4.32 GAA.

The Oilers, opening a four-game homestand, are looking to end a five-game skid.

"It's not just how we skate, stick handle and shoot," coach Pat Quinn said after a 4-2 defeat to Minnesota on Tuesday. "If you have physical tools, it's about knowing how to play the game. Right now, we're struggling with knowing how to play a game and play it all night long."

Edmonton has been solid at home lately, winning four of six.

Dustin Penner, the team leader with 26 goals and 53 points, has two goals and three assists in four games. He recorded a goal and three assists in a 6-5 shootout victory over the Wings on Oct. 29, and Patrick O'Sullivan's two goals powered a 4-1 win at Detroit on Dec. 3.