A healthy Pavel Datsyuk. A healthy Stephen Weiss.
A Detroit Red Wings team on a roll and picking up steam.
Be afraid, NHL. Be very afraid.
Two players who weren’t even in the Detroit lineup four days ago combined to throttle the Philadelphia Flyers and give the Wings hope that they could be destined for much better things this NHL season.
Datsyuk scored twice and Weiss counted a goal and an assist as the Wings dumped the Flyers 5-2 Wednesday at Joe Louis Arena.
Datsyuk was playing his first game after missing four with a groin strain, but you wouldn’t know it the way the Magic Man was dancing about the ice. He rifled a long wrist shot in the top corner of the net on a Detroit power play and later swatted Darren Helm’s rebound out of mid-air and into the twine for his second goal.
Limited to 11 games due to his ongoing groin issues, Datsyuk has produced 7-6-13 numbers. “Pav, he’s a special player,… Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard said. “We need him to be a big-time player for us. But that whole line was pretty good again tonight.
“The speed with Helmer, and Weisser getting a great tip there to get us going, it was great to see.…
Playing just his third game after season-ending sports hernia surgery last winter, Weiss scored the opening goal, his third in two games.
“I think he can be a great addition for us, once his gets his confidence and he gets his game shape – you’ve got to remember he hasn’t played a lot of games for us,… Howard said of Weiss. “Right now it’s baby steps for him, but he’s doing a great job for us.
“Hopefully he can keep going and he can slide over to that center spot.…
Weiss and Helm played on the wings for Datsyuk on an all-center forward line and they clicked, combining for three goals and six points.
“It’s a good line and with three centers, we know how to play defense,… said Datsyuk, who believes he’s turning the corner in the battle to fully heal his groin.
“Yeah, finally it’s feeling good. I think I need more working on it and be better and be faster.…
Datsyuk saved his most lavish praise for Weiss, beginning to resemble the player that Detroit handed a five-year, $24.9-million free agent deal in 2013.
“Actually, I’m so happy for Weiss,… Datsyuk said. “He works off ice so hard and I’m so happy he played and he scored. I hope he keeps going and scoring. He’s a good example.…
Improving to 12-5-5 and steadily regaining their health, the upside for this Detroit team may be limitless.
“Like I keep trying to tell them every day, I think we have a chance to become a good team,… Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “We're not there yet, by any means, but we have a chance to keep getting better.
“I think we can play fast in the end. I really like what X (defenseman Xavier Ouellet) has done since he's come here (from AHL Grand Rapids).
“We look like we have solid goaltending. Howie looks like he's dialed in, so you’ve just got to keep getting better. I know they don't hand anything out 22 games into it.…
Making the playoffs as a No. 7 seed in 2012-13 and a No. 8 seed last season, the Wings insist their solid performance hasn’t caught them the least bit by surprise.
“At training camp, this is what we were aiming for, was to get off to this kind of start,… Howard said. “We’ve been doing a great job.
“We’ll enjoy some turkey here tomorrow, then head to New Jersey (for Friday’s game) and then hopefully play another full 60 minutes.…
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