Datsyuk is hopeful for first Playoff game.

[charlio lemieux]

Red Wings star centre Datsyuk hopes to be ready for playoffs


DETROIT (AP) - Red Wings centre Pavel Datsyuk hopes to be on the ice when the playoffs start this weekend, despite not playing since injuring his left thigh two weeks ago.

"With fingers, I hope," Datsyuk said Monday, crossing the index and middle fingers on his right hand as he spoke following a morning skate before the Red Wings' scheduled night game against Dallas. It was the first time the Russian star had skated since the injury.

Datsyuk was hurt April 3 during a shootout win at Calgary, but didn't realize he was injured after being checked by Andrew Ference.

"It was not a big hit," Datsyuk said. "I felt it on the plane. It was swollen."

The next day, the Red Wings said Datsyuk would not play for at least a week to 10 days because of a lower-body injury. Datsyuk said the injury, above his left knee, has improved each day while he's been out.

Datsyuk had a team-high 87 points when he was sidelined two weeks ago and still leads the NHL's top team in scoring. He was tied for 15th in the league in points through Sunday's game on 28 goals and 59 assists.

He signed a two-year contract worth $3.9 million US per year in late September, shortly before the season started, after signing a contract earlier in the month with Avangard Omsk of the Russian SuperLeague. That contract was matched by Moscow Dynamo, another SuperLeague team with which Datsyuk played during the NHL lockout last season.

The dazzling player with great hands and moves was a standout during his previous two regular NHL seasons - with 119 points combined - and lacklustre in the playoffs. He didn't score a goal and had six assists combined in the 2003 and 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs when the Red Wings exited the postseason early. As a rookie in the 2001-02 season, he had 35 points.



This team could still win one or two rounds without him. That is Detroit's biggest strength. The fact they have a bunch of great players that are interchangable, makes it easier for them to deal with injuries, or get away from opposition checking assignments. Don't forget, they also have one of the best players not in the NHL, in Jiri Hudler who has 36 goals and 96 points for Grand Rapids of the AHL.

Not having to face the eventual playoff MVP or MVP runner-up, in net for the first round should get the Wings rolling towards their next cup.

[wildboy26]

I still think missing Datsyuk will be a big problem for them if he is not back for the first round. Detroit has sometimes had trouble in the 1st round as a #1 seed vs an #8 seed anyway so missing their best player could be a problem.

[charlio lemieux]

They have had trouble, with facing the hottest goalie of the playoffs two years in a row. Giguerre and Kiprussof, put on some of the best goaltending performances in the post seaon in recent history. Roloson is not going to make 60+ saves in a triple overtime game. Then put in a similar performance again three more times. Rolly the goalie is not capable of doing it. He has been barely above average at best and inconsistant overall.

[wildboy26]

Well they were down 2-0 and down in the 3rd game vs Vancouver 3 years ago with Cloutier in net.

[charlio lemieux]

Why are you either three years behind or three years ahead?

Detroit won the series.

[wildboy26]

They were still in trouble though, and if anybody but Cloutier was in net they probably would have been down 3-0 in the series. My point is they can be challenged in the first round by an 8th seed as the 1st seed, it has happened multiple times in the past decade and could happen again, especialy missing Datsyuk.

[charlio lemieux]

Down 3-0???
Whatever WB:rolleyes: It is all supposition. Three year old supposition at that.

Yes they can be challenged, but Edmonton doesn't have overwhelming firepower nor a goalie that can steal 4 games.

[wildboy26]

Down 3-0???
Whatever WB:rolleyes: It is all supposition. Three year old supposition at that.

Yes they can be challenged, but Edmonton doesn't have overwhelming firepower nor a goalie that can steal 4 games.

Edmonton has actually been outshooting teams much of the year, but their goaltending was a big problem. That is why they got Roloson. I agree he hasnt been exceptional of yet but he can play in the playoffs, as he showed with the Wild in 02-03 if you recall. I would not be surprised if it was a close series and they miss Datsyuk at some point.

[charlio lemieux]

Datsyuk is Questionable for game one. This is not Hasek. He is not going to be Questionable for 6 weeks. He will likely be back for Game 2, but he definitely will play in the series.

[wildboy26]

I think it will be a 6-game series. As they said on the Sports Panel last night Detroit often needs a kick in the teeth to get themselves going.

[charlio lemieux]

Well with the Wings win last night it is down to a best of three series. Good Stuff. The good news is not everybody is going yet. Shanahan has been snake bit, and missed a wide open net, while CBC had kindly switched over to the game. Even if he had hit Roloson the puck would have bounced in. Instead he deflected the pass between the net and Roloson and out the other side. If Shanny can get going offensively he will take some pressure off of Datsyuk and Zetterberg, and add yet another dimension to the potent Red Wing attack, which has been some-what stymied by some great play by Roloson.

Speaking of Datsyuk and Zetterberg. They looked great on the last Detroit goal. If these two get rolling it is game over, plain and simple. Edmonton has done good containing and limiting their chances, but it is only a matter of time.

I looking forward to game 5 back in HockeyTown USA. Go Wings!!!

[J.R.]

Speaking of Datsyuk and Zetterberg. They looked great on the last Detroit goal.Detroit has scored one quality goal in this series and that was their fourth one last night. The rest have been lucky bounces, scoring on 5-on-3s, ugly playoff goals or absolute flukes.

I looking forward to game 5 back in HockeyTown USA. Go Wings!!!As a Leafer, why are you cheering for the Wings? :shrug:

[MadDevil]

Detroit has scored one quality goal in this series and that was their fourth one last night. The rest have been lucky bounces, scoring on 5-on-3s, ugly playoff goals or absolute flukes.

And yet the series is still tied 2-2. You have to be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good sometimes. With all the weird bounces in this series, either team could already have swept this series, but instead they're all even. Good series so far (except for the horrible officiating).

[PDO]

And yet the series is still tied 2-2. You have to be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good sometimes. With all the weird bounces in this series, either team could already have swept this series, but instead they're all even. Good series so far (except for the horrible officiating).

Agreed on all points.

Datsyuk is still MIA.

Sadly, so are Hemsky and Samsonov.

Atleast one of them has an excuse though. As for the two russians... god knows.

[charlio lemieux]

As a Leafer, why are you cheering for the Wings? :shrug:

I like them.

[wildboy26]

Like I said Detroit rarely wins easily in the first round. They probably will pull it out, but not without a struggle with Edmonton.

[charlio lemieux]

Well they're gone.

Another soft one on Legace tonight. He has disappointed me a little, but he is far from the main reason why Detroit won't be facing Colorado next week.
First I have to give credit to Edmonton they played very well defensively and always seemed to have some one in front to pick up the garbage. But above all Roloson played his heart out. Although he looked bewildered at times tonight, he has had a great series and IS far and away the biggest reason Edmonton was even in half the games in this series, tonight included.

On the Detroit side of things there is more than enough places to lay the blame for the loss other than Manny Legace. Yes his save% is shot to hell, but look at the types of scoring chances Edmonton creates. Banging and crashing around the net pucks getting tipped two and three times, or it's one qiuck rush and someone is either on a breakaway or left alone beside the net, like on the winning goal. They aren't shooting from everywhere like Detroit was.

Shanahan was snake bit for this series. Missed open nets and everything.
Lang had one good game and then disappeared.
Detroit really missed Jiri Fischer I think. There were alot of defensive lapses, that I don't think would have occurred with a healthy Fischer in the line-up.
Pavel Datsyuk was not healthy to begin the series, and didn't look dangerous until game 5.
Steve Yzerman is not the dominant player he once was but he showed tonight the size of his heart, once again. He was better tonight than in any other game in the series. If he had been healthy and shown this much determination for the entire series he would have made a difference.

Coach Babcock was simply outcoached. MacT put a defensive system in place that stymied the Detroit offence.

Oh well. It should be a different looking team next season, with no Yzerman and everything. I would have rather Stevie's last game be one where he skated around with the cup but... oh well, if a frog had wings and all that.

Go Anaheim.