DETROIT -- There is always an adjustment period when moving into a new home, and it is no different for hockey teams.

The Detroit Red Wings found it a struggle as they settled into their new digs at Little Caesars Arena, but as they welcome a new year, they are also beginning to finally savor the comforts of home.

Gustav Nyquist scored twice, and the Red Wings extended their home-ice winning streak to a season-high three games with a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.

Frans Nielsen and Dylan Larkin also scored for the Red Wings, who got 37 saves from goalie Jimmy Howard.

Evgeni Malkin scored for the Penguins.

Detroit last won three consecutive home games from Jan. 14-18, 2017.

With a raucous crowd backing them as they faced the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins, the Red Wings were rocking.

"I thought the energy was great," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. "This building definitely is loud with the people in the stands, and with us giving them some good hockey."

It took some time for the latter to occur. Even with their three-game roll, the Red Wings are just 8-6-6 at home this season. Only four NHL teams have earned fewer home victories.

"We definitely have started playing better at home," Nielsen said. "Personally, I think we're starting to feel a little better out there, a little more comfortable and just getting used to everything out there."

The Red Wings (15-16-7) opened the scoring at 11:31 of the first period. Nyquist accepted a pass from Henrik Zetterberg, cut into the high slot and, using Penguins defenseman Frank Corrado as a screen, whipped a high shot past Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray (19 saves).

The score became 2-0 at the 59-second mark of the second period. Larkin tore down the right wing, got around Malkin and slipped a shot past Murray as he skated in front of the Pittsburgh net.

The Penguins (19-18-3) combined a power play and video review to get on the board at 8:04 of the second period. Phil Kessel zipped a cross-ice pass to Malkin, but Howard slid across to make a brilliant glove save on Malkin's quick shot. Replay, though, clearly displayed that Howard's glove was across the goal line when he caught the puck, and it was ruled a goal.

With five goals in seven games, Malkin is one of the few Penguins who is finding the back of the net with regularity. Captain Sidney Crosby has one goal in nine games and two in 12. Phil Kessel has scored once in the past eight games.

"We're working hard and doing the right stuff, but we're not getting anything in return," Crosby said. "As tight as things are in the standings, if we aren't going to be able to score goals, we have to find a way to start winning games 1-0 and 2-1."

The Red Wings reclaimed their two-goal advantage on Nielsen's 10th of the season at 15:18 of the second. Just inside the faceoff circle on the left wing, Nielsen wound up for a slap shot. However, as Murray began dropping into the butterfly, Nielsen pulled up and slipped a low shot under Murray's outstretched right leg.

"It seemed like every mistake we made ended up in our net, and we didn't get rewarded for the good things we did," said Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, whose team is 4-8-0 in the past 12 games. "It stings to lose again like this, but we're going to learn from it.

"These guys are getting more determined to figure it out, not less."

Nyquist completed the scoring at 16:34 of the third period when he backhanded the rebound of a Tyler Bertuzzi shot past Murray for his 100th NHL goal. The tally also gave Nyquist 12 goals on the season, as many as he scored during the entire 2016-17 campaign.

"I thought we played really well in the third period with the lead," Blashill said. "For a team that doesn't have the record that we want to have, to have the confidence to go out there and play like that I think is a big thing."

NOTES: RW Anthony Mantha, who leads the Red Wings with 13 goals, participated in the morning skate but missed his second consecutive game due to a groin injury. ... C Luke Glendening (hand) and D/RW Luke Witkowski were also scratched by Detroit. ... Former Red Wings C Riley Sheahan played his first game in Detroit since he was traded to the Penguins on Oct. 21. ... RW Daniel Sprong, tied for second in the AHL with 18 goals, made his season debut for the Penguins and had a game-high six shots on goal. He was recalled Saturday from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. ... LW Garrett Wilson, D Andrey Pedan and G Casey DeSmith were scratched by the Penguins. ... Red Wings D Trevor Daley, who was part of Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup teams the past two springs, played for the first time against his former team.