DETROIT -- While making an observation about Henrik Zetterberg’s recent play, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock posed a question before Monday’s game.

“Z’s played way better here of late, does way more battling, skating way better,’’ Babcock said. “So is that due to (new linemate Valtteri Filppula), or is that just the determination of Z?’’

Probably a little of both. And when Sidney Crosby is tossed into the mix, Zetterberg’s determination and intensity are raised to an even higher level. The same can be said about Crosby’s blood pressure.

Zetterberg, flashing his playoff MVP form of 2008, scored two goals and added an assist, all the while blanketing and frustrating Crosby, as the Red Wings defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-1 at Joe Louis Arena in a clash between the Stanley Cup finalists in each of the past two seasons.

“Always when you play against a good player, it’s fun, because it’s not just defense, you play a lot of offense, too,’’ Zetterberg said. “It’s a good battle, and I think we both enjoy it.’’

Crosby didn’t seem to have fun, especially near the final buzzer. He cross-checked and slashed Zetterberg several times in front of the Detroit net, leading to a melee. Todd Bertuzzi and then goaltender Jimmy Howard rushed in and roughed it up with Crosby.

“We were battling and then after the whistle, Howie came and rescued me,’’ Zetterberg said.

Game Highlights

Said Howard of Crosby: “He does that stuff all the time. Somehow he gets away with it.’’

Zetterberg’s line has been dominant the past two games. Filppula had a goal and an assist and Bertuzzi contributed a pair of assists. Nicklas Lidstrom also had two assists.

The Red Wings had good jump after traveling back from the West Coast on Sunday. They played with only 10 forwards for the second consecutive game with Dan Cleary (pulled groin) and Patrick Eaves (sore neck, back) out.

The short bench didn’t matter, as Detroit improved to 9-2-1 in its past 12 games and moved four points ahead of Calgary for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Crosby, who was booed every time he touched the puck and serenaded with chants of “Crosby sucks!,’’ was held without a point, in large part because of Zetterberg.

“We’re doing a great job as a five-man unit,’’ Zetterberg said. “We have to minimize his ice, be on him all the time. He’s a good player when he has the puck. The more you play against him, the more you get used to playing against him.’’

Crosby praised Zetterberg’s defense. Sort of.

“There are lots of guys who play tough. There are a lot of guys who don’t have (Brian) Rafalski and Lidstrom on the back end, either,’’ Crosby said. “He competes hard. We both do.

“We have pride in our games. When there’s any of those rivalry games, it’s pretty natural for guys to be competitive and even raise their game.’’

The Penguins played without Evgeni Malkin, last season’s Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP, because of a foot injury.

Holding a precarious 2-1 lead, Zetterberg delivered a huge goal just 1:20 into the third period off a harmless-looking rush, firing a wrist shot from the slot past Marc-Andre Fleury.

Filppula scored the only goal in the first period, firing a wrist shot through Sergei Gonchar’s skates and beating Fleury on the blocker side with 56 seconds remaining.

Zetterberg made it 2-0 at 7:38 of the second period. He took a pass in the corner from Lidstrom, cut in front of the net and flipped in the rebound of his own shot while Bertuzzi was in Fleury’s face.

“He’s playing aggressive, he’s getting in there and taking over the play right now,’’ Bertuzzi said. “He’s carrying the puck, he’s got his room, he’s skating well. When you got him and Pavel (Datsyuk), a one-two punch going that fast and that good, it’s unbeatable.’’

Pascal Dupuis cut the lead to 2-1 at 16:54. But that’s all the Penguins could muster.

“They played hard from start to finish,’’ Fleury said. “That’s the Detroit we’re used to seeing from last year. It seems they wanted it more than we did tonight.’’