Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Pavel Datsyuk posted two goals and an assist, as the Detroit Red Wings edged the Colorado Avalanche, 4-3, in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinal series at the Pepsi Center.

Henrik Zetterberg registered a goal and an assist for the Red Wings, who hold a commanding 3-0 lead in the series and can close it out Thursday in the Mile High City. Johan Franzen also scored, while Mikael Samuelsson collected two assists. Chris Osgood stopped 30-of-33 shots for Detroit, which is one win away from advancing to the conference finals for the second consecutive season.

Andrew Brunette tallied twice and Joe Sakic picked up two assists for the Avalanche. Cody McLeod also scored, while Jose Theodore allowed four goals on 35 shots in defeat.

"They (Red Wings) came out strong in the first and we had our moments, but we just lost our momentum," said Brunette. "They have some players that can really make goals. We looked like we were going in the right direction, but we had too much to overcome and it's hard to comeback against this team."

Colorado welcomed back forward Peter Forsberg and defenseman Scott Hannan to the lineup, but were without forward Ryan Smyth, who missed the game with a foot injury.

Colorado jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 5:17 mark of the first period. On a delayed penalty, T.J. Hensick fired a shot from the top of the right circle that McLeod, standing at the top of the crease, redirected through the legs of Osgood for his first career playoff goal.

The Red Wings used the power play to knot the score with 7:46 remaining in the opening stanza. Nicklas Lidstrom gained entry into the offensive zone and sent a pass to Zetterberg along the right wing boards. Zetterberg then made a move to the slot and dished to Datsyuk, who rifled the puck past the glove of Theodore.

Fifty-eight seconds later, Franzen took a pass from Brett Lebda and found an opening between the pads of Theodore to put Detroit on top.

The Red Wings advantage grew to 3-1 at the 6:36 mark of the second period. Brian Rafalski had the puck at the right point and threw it on goal. Theodore made the save, but Datsyuk was on the doorstep and buried the rebound.

Brunette's power-play tally brought the Avalanche within one at 8:08. A slap shot by John-Michael Liles deflected off the stick blade of Brunette in the low slot, causing the puck to change course and slip in behind a surprised Osgood.

Detroit countered with a power-play goal of its own to reclaim a two-goal edge. As Peter Forsberg served a double-minor for high-sticking, Datsyuk whipped a cross-ice pass from the bottom of the right circle through the crease to Zetterberg for an easy tap-in with 7:36 to play before the second intermission.

The Avalanche connected on the power play early in the third period to narrow the deficit to 4-3. Sakic maintained position of the puck at the left point, faked a shot, took a couple of strides before snapping a low wrister that Osgood stopped, but Brunette, battling down low, knocked in the rebound at 5:19.

As the clock dwindled down, Theodore raced to the bench for an extra attacker, but the Avs were pinned in their own zone and failed to generate any quality scoring chances.

"We let them in a little bit in the third by taking some penalties," said Franzen. "We were able to play aggressively in the offensive zone and we just were able to keep the puck there. They're going to come out hard Thursday, but I think tonight we saw their best shot."