In training camp, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock envisioned the possibilities for a forward line of Pavel Datsyuk between Darren Helm and Tomas Tatar.
Injuries scuttled the idea before it really ever got off the ground, but with all three players now healthy, Babcock put the threesome together and the result was all of Detroit’s goals in a 3-1 road victory Sunday over the Carolina Hurricanes, as Tatar scored twice and Datsyuk added the other.
“Pavel, Tats and Helmer were excellent obviously,… said Babcock, who talked about what he had in mind when he first conjured up that forward unit. “The same kind of thing - some speed and some tenacity and some ability to score.…
The unit was deployed in Detroit’s exhibition opener at Pittsburgh, but Datsyuk was hurt late in that game.
“I think right now we are playing really good,… Tatar said. “We know about each other on the ice. We played the first game in pre-season together and felt really good. But then Helmer and Pav got hurt, so we had to find a different lineup. “I’m really happy right now. We’re doing a good job. I hope it stays this way.…
Pav Man Tatar gets chills just thinking about the chance he has to skate alongside Datsyuk, the player known as the Magic Man in Detroit.
“I think he’s the best player I ever saw,… Tatar said. “Whenever I’m practicing with (other NHL) people back home (in Slovakia), even those guys are saying he is amazing.
“We all know that, so we’re not surprised. If Pav stays healthy, just having him in the lineup is a huge help for us. He’s just playing really good in his area of play.…
Balanced Attack Detroit is getting offense from all four of its lines at different times and that’s making life easier for the coach.
“The way we’re spread out right now is that somebody else can pick you up on a different night, which is positive,… Babcock said. “Obviously tonight was Pav’s line’s night.
“I still think at some time we’re going to have Pav and Z (Henrik Zetterberg) back together again, especially at home (where Detroit would have the last line change). Maybe play them apart on the road. But all in all they’re a good line. But you should have more good lines.
“You just want it to keep going. We’ve got a lot of players who are getting better. (Stephen) Weiss is a guy getting better each game. When you look through it, for a guy like Helmer, if he can continue to improve and get back to the level where he was, we’re a better hockey team.
“I like to think our team’s getting better. We talked a lot about that tonight. We’re a good team. Let’s play with maturity, let’s take care of the puck. You don’t want to beat yourself in a road game. …
Petr Principle Goaltender Petr Mrazek turned in a 34-save performance for his third win in as many starts since he was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids to fill in for the injured Jonas Gustavsson (separated shoulder).
“I thought he was good,… Babcock said. “He didn’t create extra shots.
“They were (35) legitimate shots in the fact that they weren’t coming off him.…
Mrazek felt the workload, especially in the first period, when he faced 11 shots, got his attention focused quickly.
“It always helps when you have the shots early on, you get into the game,… Mrazek said. “I was happy that they didn’t score on the power play (early). They had a couple of chances and I made a couple of saves.…
Jeff Skinner was Mrazek’s most frequent challenger. The Carolina forward fired 10 shots his way. “I didn’t know he had that many,… Mrazek said. “I know he’s shooting, and he goes hard to the net.…
Datsyuk praised his young netminder.
“He is one of keys why we win today,… Datsyuk said. “Save by save and he keeps going. Of course it helped us a lot. He deserved first star today.…
Leaving The Nest The Wings got their first look at former teammate Andrej Nestrasil, the center who was claimed from them on waivers last month by the Hurricanes.
“He’s playing a lot,… Tatar said. “He’s like playing over 15 minutes a game so that’s good. Good for him. I’m happy. He’s one of my good friends.
“Hopefully he will establish himself there.…
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