The Avalanche took a 3-2 lead into the final period Sunday night, and despite a pair of third-period penalties, they were able to hold on and close out the rival Detroit Red Wings, 4-2. The only scoring in the third period came on an empty-netter in the final minute by Ryan O'Reilly, his second goal of the night.
Unofficially, Colorado finished the game with a 34-29 edge in shots on goal and a 31-9 edge in hits.
The win brought the Avs back to .500 at 13-13-1, and while they're still in fourth place in the Northwest, they're very much in contention there and in the Western Conference playoff race in general.
Colorado will be back in action on Tuesday against Vancouver.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For more coverage, visit our Avalanche blog Mile High Hockey and our Red Wings blog Winging It In Motown. For more from around the NHL, visit SB Nation's NHL news hub.