Denver, CO -- Manny Legace came within 32 seconds of a shutout, as his 34 saves helped lift the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche in the opener of a key home-and-home set between two Western Conference powers at the Pepsi Center. The teams will meet again on Saturday in Detroit.

Legace, who could be the starting playoff goaltender, stopped 12 shots in the first period, and 11 in both the second and third for Detroit, which halted a brief two-game skid.

"I am hoping to play Game 1 (of the playoffs), but it all depends on (Curtis Joseph's) ankle," Legace said. "Ankle injuries are hard to come back from."

Henrik Zetterberg posted a goal and an assist while Pavel Datsyuk and Tomas Holmstrom also scored in the victory.

The Red Wings now have 101 points and are close to clinching the top overall spot in the Western Conference and home ice advantage through the first three rounds. With five games left in the regular season, Detroit holds a five-point lead over San Jose.

David Aebischer allowed two goals on 22 shots for the Avalanche, who are now winless in their last five (0-4-1). Steve Konowalchuk provided the only tally for Colorado, which is still three points ahead of the idle Vancouver Canucks for the lead in the Northwest Division.

Possessing one of the fiercest rivalries in all of hockey, Detroit and Colorado have accounted for five of the last eight Stanley Cup titles. They have met in the playoffs five times since the Avs moved into the Western Conference in the 1995-96 season. Three of those matchups have taken place in the conference final round.

The Red Wings scored the game's first goal midway through the opening period. Although Detroit failed to capitalize on the first penalty called on Avalanche forward Jim Cummins, his second offense, a high-sticking minor, proved costly.

Skating 5-on-4, the Wings worked the puck around the perimeter before Steve Yzerman gave the puck to Holmstrom at the right circle. Holmstrom skated out to the face off dot and released a snap shot that flew over the far shoulder of Aebischer for a 1-0 Detroit lead at 9:52.

From that point on, neither team could produce much offensively until the final three minutes of the third period. Colorado outshot the Red Wings 23-18 over the final 40 minutes, but not many of the shots were quality ones.

"We have to help (Aebischer) out and get some pucks on net," said Konowalchuk.

With 2:32 to go in regulation, after a great save by Legace on Riku Hahl, the Red Wings opened up a two-goal lead at the other end. A scramble in front saw several shots stopped by Aebischer, but he could only do so much as Datsyuk finally poked it home from the top of the crease.

One minute later, Zetterberg fired into the open net for his 15th of the season.

"It's always big to come in here and win, especially when we get those two goals late to wrap it up," said Detroit forward Darren McCarty.

With the outcome no longer in doubt, Cummins and Brendan Shanahan squared off at center ice, with both players leaving the ice bloody. Shortly after, Konowalchuk's meaningless goal with just 32 seconds left capped the scoring.

Detroit has now produced five straight seasons with at least 100 points.