Dan Cleary converted a beautiful spinning pass from Todd Bertuzzi and the Detroit offense took advantage of more sloppy play from the Avalanche defensemen.
Cleary has now scored a goal in five straight games, and Bertuzzi has added an assist to his goal earlier in the game.
This is the second time in the period the Avalanche have let a loose pass trickle into their defensive zone, and the second time Detroit has capitalized on the mistake.
With the score now 3-0, Colorado now needs to tally their own score before the end of the period to give themselves a chance in the third.