Johan Franzen and the Detroit Red Wings are kicking the Colorado Avalanche when they're down. Franzen scored three times to lift Detroit to a 5-1 victory today over the banged-up Avs, giving them a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinal. Franzen redirected a shot early in the game, scored on a wraparound in the second and whacked a rebound out of the air in the third.
He had two goals in Detroit's series-opening win. Colorado's Ian Laperriere scored early in the third period, avoiding a shutout. Game 3 is Tuesday night in Colorado. Chris Osgood made 19 saves for the Red Wings. Colorado's Jose Theodore gave up four goals on 20 shots and was pulled for a second straight game. Peter Budaj stopped all 12 shots in the second period and finished with 19 saves. (More NHL stories.)