Pavel Datsyuk thinks the Lady is a champ.
The Detroit Red Wings center is among three finalists for the Lady Byng Trophy, along with former Wing Jiri Hudler of the Calgary Flames and Anze Kopitar of the Los Angeles Kings.
While many hockey people look down their nose at the award that goes to the best combination of sportsmanship and ability, Datsyuk, who won the Lady Byng three times in a row from 2007-09, takes the nomination as a great honor.
“I think it’s the best trophy ever,… Datsyuk insisted. “Yeah, it’s nice to be back on the track. I like it, being nominated for anything. Lady Byng is important for me, too.
“This is good. Lots of trophies are good ones, if you win, or if you’re nominated.…
Datsyuk, who struggled with what was believed to be an ankle issue late in the season, has scored twice in three games as the Wings grabbed a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series opening-round Stanley Cup series with the Tampa Bay Lightning and figured in the game-winning goal in both Detroit triumphs.
As the Wings readied for Game 4 of the series, slated for Thursday at Joe Louis Arena, Datsyuk believes he’s close to being the player he was prior to his ailment.
“I feel more confidence,… Datsyuk said. “It’s more fun when you play, not watch lots of games in back room.
“It’s more fun, definitely.…
Those who spend the most time with Datsyuk are of the opinion that every day with the Russian star is about as fun as it gets.
“Yeah, he’s a funny guy,… Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “I wish that you guys could see more the way we do. He’s smart. He’s very smart. I think he gets away sometimes with his no-English routine, but he’s a funny guy.
“He always comes in with a smile on his face and he has some pretty good jokes.…
Zetterberg also insisted that if those who voted Datsyuk the Lady Byng to witness him in practice, they’d never cast a ballot in his favor.
“He’s a lot dirtier in practice than he is in games, so I don’t think he’d be nominated for the Lady Byng if you look at practices,… Zetterberg said.
All kidding aside, Zetterberg and the rest of the Wings truly admire the ability and effort that Datsyuk brings to the rink each day.
“He works hard,… Zetterberg said. “If you see him inside this locker room, in the weight room, in the summers, he puts a lot of hours in and it shows.
“We’re all glad that he is nominated and he probably deserves some more trophies than that.…
You Can’t Spell Stamkos Without O The Wings have proven very successful at putting the stymie on Tampa Bay’s 43-goal scorer Steven Stamkos, who’s yet to tally in the series.
Datsyuk’s line matched up against Stamkos in Game 3 and outscored them 1-0.
“Yeah, he’s really good offensively, can make lots of damage, but it’s nice to make him work in the defensive zone,… Datsyuk said.
The Wings know that Stamkos is too talented not to create chances, so their objective is to ensure that when those opportunities come, they are not in the high-quality scoring areas of the ice.
“The goals are so far going from really short distances,… Detroit left-winger Tomas Tatar said. “Steven is a good shooter but we so far have found our lanes to block his shots from the blue line. I think we are doing a really good job.
“We are doing a pretty good job on Stamkos so far and hopefully it stays that way.…
It’s also about awareness and ensuring that they don’t let Stamkos go stealth in the offensive zone.
“You’ve got to know where he’s at,… Detroit center Luke Glendening said. “He’s a great player, big-time goal scorer. You’re always aware of where he is and you try to keep the puck out of his hands as much as you can.
“They’ve got a ton of weapons. You’re playing with fire wherever they are.…
Petr Picked A Pair During the regular season, the Lightning led the NHL with 262 goals. Throughout 82 regular-season and three playoff games, they’ve been shutout twice – both times by Detroit netminder Petr Mrazek.
Mrazek blocked 22 shots to post the zero in Game 3 as Detroit won 3-0. He made 23 saves in a 4-0 victory over the Lightning March 28, also at Joe Louis Arena.
“He’s just a goalie that nothing really bothers him or affects him,… Detroit left-winger Justin Abdelkader said. “If he lets a goal in, so be it.
“He’s going to be better.…
Several of the Wings were teammates with Mrazek when the Grand Rapids Griffins won the AHL Calder Cup two years ago and they are seeing familiarity in the way he’s stopping the puck.
“This is the Petr I’m used to watching,… Detroit forward Landon Ferraro said. “We had our (Calder) Cup run a couple of years ago and that’s what he did for us every night.
“We’d give up a chance or two a game against good guys and he’d make sure he stands tall and made those saves for us. Then we’d take over and that’s all you need out of your goalie, making sure he can make up for a couple of mistakes throughout the night.…
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