Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Nicklas Lidstrom scored the go-ahead goal on the power play midway through the third period, lifting Detroit to a 3-2 win over Colorado in the first NHL game after the Olympic break.
The NHL Is Back: Red Wings & Avs Do Battle In Denver
It’s been a whirlwind in the last 48 hours for Detroit head coach Mike Babcock - from guiding Canada to an overtime win over the United States in the gold medal game at the Olympics on Sunday - and now back on the bench to see his club win two in a row for the first time since early January.
Tomas Holmstrom added a goal and two assists for Detroit, which also received a score from Johan Franzen. Jimmy Howard made 22 saves, including stopping all nine shots he faced in the final period.
Detroit beat Ottawa in its final contest before the Olympic break, but this marked its first time with back-to-back wins since January 7 and 9 at Los Angeles and San Jose. The Red Wings also moved into sole possession of eighth place in the Western Conference, a point ahead of Calgary.
Chris Stewart and T.J. Galiardi had the goals for the Avalanche, who remain tied with Vancouver atop the Northwest Division. Craig Anderson made 27 saves for Colorado, which has lost two in a row since a four-game winning streak.
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