Just like old times with Larionov back.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

DETROIT _ The Red Wings missed Igor Larionov this season. So they replaced him.

With Igor Larionov.

So far, they look smart.

The Wings have scored four goals since reacquiring Larionov, and Larionov has had a hand in each, with a goal and three assists.

"We're a puck-possession team, so it's nice to have somebody who makes good passes and plays," associate coach Barry Smith said. "He's very creative, and he knows our team."

Larionov had a goal and an assist Friday night in the Wings' 3-2 overtime loss at Chicago. On the power play midway through the second period, he took a pass at the Blackhawks' blue line between two defensemen, broke in alone and beat the goalie to the glove side. On a four-on-three power play early in the third, he fed Sergei Fedorov, who scored the tying goal from the high slot.

Then Larionov set up both of Steve Yzerman's goals Sunday night in the Wings' dramatic 2-1 victory over Los Angeles. He set up Yzerman at 8:33 of the third. After the Kings tied the score with 32 seconds left, he controlled a bouncing puck and set up Yzerman again with 4.3 left. On the winner, he and Yzerman worked together like the old teammates they are.