DENVER, March 2 (UPI) -- Nicklas Lidstrom's power-play goal midway through the third period Monday lifted the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-2 victory over Colorado.
Lidstrom's tally regained the lead for the Red Wings, who had surrendered a 2-0 advantage after the Avalanche scored two unanswered goals in the second period of the NHL's first game since the two-week Winter Olympics break.
Detroit Coach Mike Babcock -- fresh from his Olympics victory Sunday as the coach of Team Canada -- got a goal and two assists from Tomas Holmstrom, a tally from Johan Franzen and 22 saves from goalie Jimmy Howard.
The win gave Detroit sole possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Chris Stewart and T.J. Galiardi scored for Colorado, which remained tied with Vancouver for first place in the Northwest Division.
