DENVER, Colorado -- The Detroit Red Wings proved that they learned from their first-round mistakes Tuesday night, winning Game Three of their Western Conference Semifinal matchup with the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
In their first-round series with Nashville, the Red Wings failed twice on the road in Game Three and Game Four, allowing the Predators back into the series.
Pavel Datsyuk scored twice and Henrik Zetterberg added another, while Johan Franzen continued his hot streak with his 23rd goal in the past 25 games.
Cody McLeod opened the game's scoring for the Avalanche, tipping a shot from the right wing by T.J. Hensick past Chris Osgood during a delayed penalty at 5:17 of the first.
Datsyuk scored on a Detroit power play with 7:46 left in the period to tie the game. Zetterberg drove to the net and was tied up in front, working the puck on to Datsyuk to rip into the top of the net.
Just 58 seconds later, Franzen put the Red Wings out in front. Brett Lebda picked up the loose puck in the right circle and threw it back across the ice to Franzen in the slot to rifle in past Colorado goalie Jose Theodore.
Datsyuk's second of the night put Detroit up by a pair 6:36 into the second period. Brian Rafalski's shot from the point was knocked down at the top of the crease by Theodore but Datsyuk was there to scoop up the rebound and put it into the net.
Andrew Brunette pulled the Avalance back to within a goal with the first of his two power play goals, tipping a John-Michael Liles shot from the blue line past Osgood at 8:08 of the second.
Zetterberg extended the Detroit lead again with 7:36 left in the period, scoring another power play goal. Zetterberg sent the puck from behind the net to Datsyuk on the right wing, then moved out to the far side of the crease to get the puck back for a tap-in.
Brunette scored his second at 5:19 of the third period, banging in the rebound of a Joe Sakic chance after Osgood lost it in his skates but the Avs would be unable to pull even.
All three Colorado goals came with an extra attacker on the ice, either during a power play or a delayed penalty. The Avalanche finished the night two-for-five on the power play while the Red Wings went two-for-seven.
Osgood stopped 30 of 33 shots against in his first playoff win in Denver since 1996. Theodore made 31 saves on 35 shots.
Notes: The Avalanche saw Peter Forsberg and Scott Hannan return to the lineup but lost Ryan Smyth before the start of the game and Peter Stastny in the first period.
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Haha, Quennville is so dumb!
When is he going to realize that Theodore's luck ran out?!
Theodore's playing? hahahaha! Bring it on!
Not looking forward to the 3am start though.
Forsberg and Hannan are "probable" according to Quenneville but Ryan Smyth is out with a foot injury.
As long as they keep opening the door we will be more than happy to walk through it.
We should put in Downey he is as good as McCarty but fights more, even though McCarty got in that one fight. Downey has cold blood twords Laperriere ever since the Lidstrom injury.
Theodore's playing? hahahaha! Bring it on!
Not looking forward to the 3am start though.
Haha,
that sucks! That's why it's good to be a college kid... 3 a.m. is afternoon to me! Grab another beer and let the Ave ass kicking begin.
Haha,
that sucks! That's why it's good to be a college kid... 3 a.m. is afternoon to me! Grab another beer and let the Ave ass kicking begin.
Also one of the advantages of being an unemployed university dropout. Well, the only advantage really. But my jersey arrived yesterday. Yay!
McCarty has better overall hockey sense than Downey. Sure, Downey is more aggressive, but he only had 2 points the entire season. McCarty is sound defensively and can chip in the odd goal here in there. I feel more comfortable seeing McCarty play during the playoffs than I do Downey.
We should put in Downey he is as good as McCarty but fights more, even though McCarty got in that one fight. Downey has cold blood twords Laperriere ever since the Lidstrom injury.
If the series gets nasty, I think Downey will see time. Until then, Mac does a better job of forechecking which is something Babcock has been looking for. And the fourth line of Helm, McCarty and Hudler has looked really good for the last several games, you don't go breaking that up.
I still want to see Lappy get his ass kicked. You don't mess with Nick! Ever!
My thoughts on tonights game:
The Dr is in
Forsberg is out
Quennville is a retard
The Colorado net has more holes than a block of Swiss Cheese
And Bettman still sucks!
Tigers need to end the inning quick so FSN will switch to the Wings.
Forsberg's in after all.
FSN finally switches over...
Great early forechecking by Cleary.
I am loving what Helm's been bringing to the front, also
Osgood looks good so far. And Lebda is....hopefully ok.
No call?! You're f*cking kidding.
sh*t!
Well, that was what the Avs needed. That it came on a delayed call for a weak hook minutes after a hit from behind goes uncalled bothers me.
Power play upcoming, chance for the Wings to even this up and end the momentum the Avs have.
I think I'm gonna shut up, I say something then they score
WHY MUST YOU MAKE FILPPULA HIT THE POST, LORD!?!?!?! D: I'm sad now.
Plus I think I'm going to get kicked off the computer soon. There's no way they can keep me from watching the game, though!
So, this is probably my last post for the night. 
Nighty-night everyone.
Off the post!
Power play goal! All tied up!
Come on Datsyuk! Good play by Zetterberg.
FFFRRRAAANNNZZEEENNNN!!!!!!
Johan Mother f*cking Franzen. 'Nuff said.
8th goal in 9 games in the playoffs. f*cking immense!
The Wings did a good job of weathering the storm in the first 10 minutes and really kicked it up after that. Power plays helped of course.
Need to not let the Avs get back up.
It's cliché time!
The next goal is crucial.
Forsberg's back but Stastny's out. Wow, Avs can't buy a break.
Oh my. And Three-or-four stays in.
2nd for Datsyuk! Crucial, crucial goal.
A penalty's exactly not what we need.
Damn, Avs still alive.
Now THAT is exactly not what we need.
Forsberg to the box. Double-minor. Get back going here...
Some dirty play. Great opportunity.
ZATA! Great passing.
Finally opened 'em up. Brilliant passing. Sublime.
What a save by Ozzie!
Could Theodore actually make it to the 2nd intermission? Wow.
Period can't end fast enough.
Wings survived a bit in the final minute there. They've gotta be careful in the third, don't slow down but make sure guys are back and watch around the crease for those tips.
Two too-many men in a row. Not good.
And it comes back to bite them. Osgood lost it in his own feet.
They just keep pegging back the lead. It's so annoying!
Wings PK needs to come up big here.
Nerves.....you got 'em?
Nerves? They're shot.
Half watching the game, half watching the clock. Too much time left.
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