Producing four goals is typically enough to win a hockey game. In the Detroit-Avalanche series, it has been just the right amount.
The creative and quick-striking Red Wings, who prevailed 4-3 on Tuesday in Game 3 at the Pepsi Center, have produced that allotment in each game of the series _ and haven’t needed a third-period goal in any of them.
In Game 1, Detroit led 4-1 just 1:13 in the second, ultimately winning 4-3. In Game 2, the Red Wings had a 4-0 advantage at 10:11 of the middle frame and went on to win 5-1.
And in Game 3, they scored the game’s last goal at 12:14 of the second period, creating the 4-2 final.
Colorado goalie Jose Theodore, who was pulled in Games 1 and 2 after allowing four goals by the second intermission, pitched his first period shutout Tuesday, blanking the Red Wings in the third.
“It’s great having four after two periods, and I don’t think it has anything to do with Theodore,” Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood said about Game 3. “I mean, those are some great goals _ beautiful passes backdoor that you can’t do much about. It helps a lot leading by two going into the third.”
The backdoor, first-period goals by Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen 58 seconds apart turned the Avs 1-0 lead into a 2-1 deficit. Early in the third, Datsyuk made it 3-1 with a quick-hands rebound goal.
“Us getting out to early leads have been the big difference in this series so far,” Red Wings forward Kris Draper said. “It’s exactly what we want to continue to do.”
Veteran Chris Chelios wasn’t all smiles after Game 3. He felt the Wings could have blown their 4-2 third-period lead by taking the only three penalties in the frame, two for too many men.
“It should be a lot easier to play with a lead, but they kept coming at us and we got fortunate,” Chelios said. “We took a couple penalties for too many men on the ice and (Osgood) came up big.
But, yeah, tough for them to play catch-up hockey. You use a lot of energy and have to change your game.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
