With their season on the brink and his captain slumping, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock pulled the old reliable out of his bag of tricks.
He reunited Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk on the same forward line and the result was the dynamic duo figured in all three goals as the Wings rallied with two third-period tallies for a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena.
Zetterberg opened the scoring for Detroit and after the Hurricanes grabbed a 2-1 lead, Datsyuk set up Gustav Nyquist for the tying goal and then converted a Zetterberg feed for the winner. The Wings are now one victory away from clinching their 24th straight appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
“I was obviously excited to be back with Pavel,… Zetterberg said. “It’s been awhile. It’s good when we get an opportunity to play together to produce.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Helmer (Darren Helm, the third member of their line) being in front of the net on both of the goals. He really created a lot of space for us and gives us a lot of time.…
Zetterberg’s goal was just his second in 28 games and he was critical of his own performance prior to the game.
“This time of year I’m supposed to be there, score goals, put up points for my team,… Zetterberg said following the morning skate. “I haven’t done that lately. That’s something I’m not happy about.
“Hopefully I can change that tonight.…
He did exactly that, though his teammates were quick to point out that their captain had nothing to prove to them.
The numbers might not have been adding up in the goal column for Zetterberg, but everyone in the Detroit dressing room insisted he’d been nothing but a plus for the team on and off the ice.
“He got a goal, and an assist on the game-winning goal and he got us going in the first, too,… right-winger Gustav Nyquist said. “It’s great to see.
“I don’t think he should have called himself out if that’s what he did. He’s been our leader throughout the whole season and he’s been playing great.
“He’s still creating chances. Just because the puck isn’t going in doesn’t matter. He’s creating chances and creating energy for us. He was great, just as every other night for us.…
Seeing Datsyuk and Zetterberg working together again sparked the entire Detroit bench.
“I think that’s typical Z and Pav,… Nyquist said, pointing to the game winner, when Zetterberg fought his way along the boards with the puck and fed Datsyuk, who was working in tight around the goal crease and managed to bury the deciding tally.
“They just win those battles and it ends up in the net and ends up being the game-winning goal for us. One of the biggest goals this year and it’s a big two points for us.…
Detroit coach Mike Babcock viewed Zetterberg’s struggles the same way he looked at goaltender Jimmy Howard’s recent slump – it would be patently wrong to blame any of the team’s recent difficulties on one player.
“I just think the big thing there is he scored a big goal and set up a big goal,… Babcock said. “You know, everyone here takes responsibility for their play and as a coach you take responsibility when your team’s not ready. But we’re all in it together. So it doesn’t go on one guy and you’re not carrying the weight of the world around on your back. That makes no sense.
“So he and I talked today after I heard that he had talked to you guys. I mean, Z’s a good player and he’s a proud guy and wants to play well. He’s trying. I think as long as you’re putting the effort in things are going to turn for you.
“Sometimes it doesn’t go the way you want it, but if you do good things, as I always say, good things will happen. Good for Z tonight. We’re proud of him. He’s got to be proud of himself and now we have to get ready for the next game.…
While no one was holding Zetterberg accountable, they were all delighted to see him finally make one count.
“I think it’s more for him personally,… Nyquist said. “Obviously it feels good to score and when you haven’t done it for a while you want to get that first one.
“He was huge for us today.…
Jimmy Dandy Winning for the second successive start, the Wings were hopeful that Howard’s consecutive solid performances were an indication that he’s finally shaken his recent struggles.
“I think the way it finished tonight where he had to make some saves in the game to win, that gives you confidence,… Babcock said. “I mean, the other night he made some saves in the shootout to win (at Minnesota). But tonight he had to make some saves in the game and he did.…
Howard sought to keep things in perspective, just as he had during his down time.
“It’s a fun time of year,… Howard said. “You have to be mentally tough. It shows what you’re made of.
“There are going to be nights when there are bounces you’re not going to like, but you just have to continue to make saves for the guys.…
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