April 2011
Zetterberg Shakes Off The Rust
Foxnews.com, April 30th, 2011
Nearly one month after suffering a knee injury against the Hurricanes on April 6, left wing Henrik Zetterberg returned to the Red Wings’ lineup for Friday night’s Game 1 overtime loss to the Sharks.
Zetterberg played nearly 20 minutes and was plus-1 with three shots on goal. After Friday’s 2-1 overtime loss at HP Pavilion, Zetterberg answered questions in the Wings’ dressing room.
Q: How did it feel to be back out there after not playing in the opening round?
A: I was a little rusty. It was nice to be out there again. It was fun to be playing a playoff game again. I can definitely be better.
Q: You killed off a four-minute penalty in overtime before allowing the winner by the Sharks’ Benn Ferriero. Did you think you were out of the woods after killing the penalty?
A: It was a lengthy power play for them in overtime. Our guys got a little tired and the puck ended up in our net. It was a tough call. (Justin Abdelkader’s) stick got caught behind him and hit (Niclas Wallin’s) face. That happens sometimes. I think we killed it off good, but the guys got a bit tired.
Q: The Red Wings had not played in nine days. Were you satisfied with the team’s start?
A: I think maybe the first two, three minutes we came out a little on our heels but I think we came back and played a real good first period.
Q: Any other thoughts on falling behind in this series?
A: I don’t think anyone thought we were going to sweep them. There’s a pretty good team over there.
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg Ready To Return From Knee Injury
By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press, April 28th, 2011
Henrik Zetterberg can get out of bed without feeling like an old man, he can practice full-out with his Red Wings teammates, and he can once again push a shopping cart around fearlessly.
It has been a trying and tiresome three weeks for him, but as the Wings ready themselves for Round 2 of the playoffs, Zetterberg — MVP of the 2008 Stanley Cup run — is prepared to join them after missing the first round with a sprained left knee.
"It's great, because it puts one more person on the ice that the other team has to be aware of," goalie Jimmy Howard said. "Z, he's got a knack for being great in the playoffs, and we welcome him back with open arms. He's great at shutting other team's top lines down, and he finds a way to generate points, too, at the same time as playing great defense."
Zetterberg's return gives the Wings more options, as they can play him with Pavel Datsyuk or have each superstar center his own line.
Though Zetterberg hasn't played since April 6, he isn't likely to need much time to get readjusted, given his level of skill. He will wear a brace for protection, but at least he has to put it on now only when he's on the ice.
Right after the injury, he had to eat, sleep and shop with it on.
"I don't have to wear it any more all the time," he said, "so I don't get picked on in grocery stores anymore, so that's nice."
Datsyuk sees a change in Zetterberg, one he isn't sure he's keen on.
"I don't know if he completely back, because he too much shooting," Datsyuk said, smiling. "I don't know why. Usually he doesn't too much shoot. Now he too much shoots."
This is a little bit like Zetterberg accusing Datsyuk of making too many dazzling passes, because of the many things Zetterberg does, shooting is very definitely one of them. He racked up 306 shots on net in 80 games this season and had at least one shot in all but one of those games.
The Wings did fine in their first-round series against the Phoenix Coyotes without Zetterberg, but as they embark on Round 2, they're so much better because he will be back.
"He's just a real good high-end player that gives you more depth," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "As it goes on, you need more depth to win. The teams that advance, they advance for a reason. They're good teams that have good depth.
"Z's a high-end player who plays with great will at playoff time. He scores better at playoff time than he does in the regular season. He competes at a high, high level, and it's important to have him back."
Zetterberg's return is all the more timely given Johan Franzen has been dealing with an ankle injury that might delay his availability.
The Wings can play Zetterberg and Datsyuk together at home, as often happens, and separate them for the road part of the series, making it harder for the opponent to match up. Datsyuk can form one line with Tomas Holmstrom on one wing and Franzen (or Mike Modano) on the other, and Zetterberg can go back to centering Danny Cleary and Todd Bertuzzi.
However the lines shake out, having Zetterberg on one of them is going to make the Wings that much better at both ends of the ice.
"I think we showed in the first round that we have really good depth, we had scoring from all lines," Niklas Kronwall said. "But now it's going to be even tougher for the next team, and that's great for us.
"I mean, let's just face it, Z's one of the top three, top five, players in the league both offensively and defensively at the same time. Playing without a guy like that is something you don't want to do, but we did it and we were fortunate enough to come out of Phoenix. But we're very happy to have him back."
Zetterberg hasn't played since getting hurt April 6 at the Carolina Hurricanes when he was hit by Bryan Allen. The injury didn't worry Zetterberg — not long-term anyway — as he limped off, but as is often the case with knee injuries, the extent of the damage becomes clearer later.
Zetterberg missed the last two games of the regular season and then had to endure watching when the playoffs began.
"It is tough," he said. "You want to be out there at playoffs. Just sitting there, it was nice it only went four games. You'd rather be out playing games than be injured. It definitely helped that they swept Phoenix and we got this extra week to be on the ice and get back into shape."
Zetterberg said he's feeling good on the ice, and really at this point all that's left is getting his timing back, which should happen fairly quickly. He has adjusted to wearing a brace, but as he pointed out, "half the league" does that now.
Few in the league, though, shoot like Zetterberg does. He finished top five among all NHL players in shots, and on balance, Datsyuk would love to be reunited with his fellow superstar.
"We want to play together, but if it's better for team we play separate, we do that," Datsyuk said. "It's good he be back. He is important for us. He play well this season, now he have a little bit rest, he come back, he be big help for us."
Henrik Zetterberg used to upping production in playoffs, not sitting
By Ansar Khan, MLive.com, April 23rd, 2011
Henrik Zetterberg almost always elevates his play in the postseason.
Since 2002-03, no Detroit Red Wing has scored more goals (46) or registered more points (91) in the playoffs than Zetterberg.
So, while the Red Wings did fine in the first round without him in sweeping the Phoenix Coyotes, they know they’ll need their leading scorer from the regular season when the competition gets tougher in Round Two.
After getting in what he called his first full practice in more than two weeks on Friday, Zetterberg said he’ll be ready when the Red Wings start their next series sometime late next week.
"It was tough," Zetterberg said. "It was the first time I’ve sat out in the playoffs. I’m glad we won four straight. It made it a lot easier on me."
Zetterberg had never missed a playoff game before this season, appearing in 97 in a row. A sprained left knee suffered April 6 in Carolina forced him to sit out six games.
"Guys are always going to be ready to step in, but when you get a guy like Z back, automatically your club’s that much better," teammate Kris Draper said. "We’re excited about it. It bought him an extra week’s rest. All that’s going to do is benefit him, let him get stronger. You don’t want to miss any time this time of year. The good thing is we didn’t have to force him to come in and play."
Zetterberg could have played this weekend if needed, but the extra time to heal will be of great benefit.
"I don’t think I’m right there, but it’s going to be at least six more days (off)," he said. "By then, I’ll be absolutely ready to go."
He has been skating for several days.
"He tells me his knee’s fine, it’s just a matter of figuring out with the brace how to skate," coach Mike Babcock said.
Zetterberg was encouraged to see the team play so well without him.
"It shows a lot, that the team is ready to go," Zetterberg said. "Players that aren’t used to playing those kind of minutes really stepped in and did a huge job for us. It is good for the future."
Wings' Henrik Zetterberg out for Game 3
ESPN.com, April 17th, 2011
Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg skated Sunday, but will not play in Game 3 on Monday night, Detroit coach Mike Babcock told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.
Zetterberg has missed the first two games of the Wings' opening-round series against the Phoenix Coyotes with a left knee injury. Detroit has won both games without its leading scorer, but travels to Phoenix for Game 3 having barely escaped Game 2.
"We played two good home games," Zetterberg said Sunday. "The last one got really close."
The Coyotes trailed 4-0 before scoring three unanswered. The Red Wings held on for a 4-3 win.
"They had a few power plays and a five-on-three and all of a sudden you're right back in the game," Zetterberg said. "It happens quickly in hockey and you've just got to respond and I think we did."
Zetterberg had 80 points during the regular season, 18 more than any teammate. The Swede missed the last two games of the regular season as well after getting checked by Carolina's Bryan Allen in a loss to the Hurricanes.
Zetterberg Confirms He'll Miss Opener, Remains Day-to-day After That
By Ansar Khan, MLive.com, April 12th, 2011
Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg didn't skate today. He worked out off ice, lifting weights and riding the bike while wearing a brace on his left knee, and received treatment.
Zetterberg confirmed what coach Mike Babcock said on Sunday: He is not playing Wednesday in Game 1 of the first-round playoff series against Phoenix. Beyond that, he is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
“He's not playing,'' Babcock said Tuesday. "The good thing about it is we got a couple days before the next game (Game 2 on Saturday afternoon). So he'll continue to be day-to-day until he's back.''
Asked if he expects to return in the first round, Zetterberg said, “It's tough to say. Just got to see how it reacts.''
He was injured on Wednesday on a hit by Carolina's Bryan Allen.
“It felt really funny when it happened,'' Zetterberg said. "We're working on it. We're (making) progress. Hopefully, it will be shorter than what we thought.
“Had similar (injury) before. It wasn't as serious. I didn't miss that much time.''
–Nicklas Lidstrom on which Red Wing is the best dressed. April 12th, 2011.
Zetterberg Will Be Day-to-day When the Playoffs Start
By Ansar Khan, MLive.com, April 7th, 2011
Henrik Zetterberg felt worse Thursday, a day after he left the ice in Carolina favoring his left leg.
But the Detroit Red Wings star forward also was encouraged and relieved. His apparent knee injury is not as severe as he originally feared when he was checked by Bryan Allen midway through the first period of the Hurricanes’ 3-0 victory.
Zetterberg will miss the final two regular-season games against Chicago, Friday at home and Sunday on the road, and is listed as day-to-day beyond that. He doesn’t know if he’ll be ready for the start of the playoffs Wednesday or Thursday, but said he "absolutely" will return at some point in the postseason.
The Red Wings would not reveal the results of the MRI or specify the injury, saying it’s lower body. Zetterberg said it doesn’t require surgery. He worked out off-ice Thursday afternoon at Joe Louis Arena, lifting weights while wearing a brace on his left knee.
"I will say it’s better than I thought," Zetterberg said.
But, he also said, "Feels a little worse today, as expected. It stiffened up a little bit. I think the next few days will be critical to see how fast I turn around, and hopefully, it will come sooner than later."
After playing in all 80 games this season, the timing of the injury was frustrating for the club’s leading scorer (80 points, including 24 goals) and one of its top defensive forwards. Zetterberg was tied for fourth in the NHL with 56 assists and was eighth in points prior to Thursday’s games.
"This is when the fun time starts," Zetterberg said. "You want to be healthy, you want to be ready to go. You’re never 100 percent this time of year, but you want to be able to be out there."
It could be a tough decision next week, whether to let it heal some more or push it for the first round of the playoffs.
"It’s a fine line, that’s why it’s day by day," Zetterberg said. "Just got to see how everything goes. Make a decision every morning when I get in here."
Asked if he might be out an extended period, Zetterberg said, "Depends. Could be day by day by day by day by day.
"I did this before once. It’s definitely more pain this time than last time, so that kind of scared me at first. You just have to deal with it, and hopefully, it’ll heal fast."
He said he wasn’t out long the last time he experienced this injury.
Zetterberg Injured By Bryan Allen as Red Wings Lose to the Hurricanes.
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, April 6, 2011
The Detroit Red Wings lost 3-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes tonight in Raleigh. In the process they lost their leading scorer ) this season (24 goals and 56 assists in 80 games) to injury.
Henrik Zetterberg was hit by defenseman Bryan Allen, in the neutral zone, midway through the first period and appeared to injure his left knee or ankle. The team is calling it a “lower body injury”.
Trainer Piet Van Zant treated Zetterberg on the bench, and following a TV timeout, Z attempted another shift one the ice. After that he left the ice and did not return from the dressing room for the remainder of the game.
After the game, Detroit head coach Mike Babcock had this to say, “He got his leg tangled up with someone out there. We'll have our own people check him out when we get back tomorrow. He probably won't play through the weekend. We'll see after that.''
Henrik played in a career high 80 games this season and was on pace for his first complete season in his career.
This isn’t the first time Allen has knocked Zetterberg out of the lineup. He was injured November 3rd, 2003 in a 5-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, when Allen slashed him from behind, fracturing Z’s right fibula. Hank missed 21 games as a result of that dirty play.
Red Wings Need the "Real" Henrik Zetterberg To Step Up in Playoffs
By Greg Eno, Bleacherreport.com, April 2, 2011
A quick glance at the numbers ought to tell you a little bit about the superstar hockey player. The superstar player should have numbers that cause eyes to pop, spit-takes to be made.
They all had such numbers.
Bobby Orr, Guy LaFleur, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman.
At any point in any given season, the stat lines on those players were in the stratosphere, compared to their mere mortal colleagues. They were “you gotta be kidding me” numbers.
And by the end of the campaign, it was an easy task to discern the greats from the very goods. The greats had goal totals in the 40s and 50s—sometimes more. The point totals were well into triple digits.
There were the superstar players and then there was everyone else.
Henrik Zetterberg, I’m convinced, must be sandbagging it. He’s a hockey hustler. Paul Newman on skates. We’ll call him Njurunda Fats.
Njurunda is the town in Sweden where “Z” was born, 30 years ago and some change.
Zetterberg is in the prime of his career, but you wouldn’t know it. He must be pacing himself.
Zetterberg has more talent in his left pinky than a majority of the players in the NHL possess in their entire bodies. When he’s at his finest, Hank Zetterberg is a tornado on skates. He can be as untouchable as Elliott Ness, as deft as Baryshnikov, as productive as a worker ant.
When the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 2008, Zetterberg was the best player on a team full of stars. He pumped in 43 goals, added 49 assists and started in the All-Star Game. Z began the season by scoring a point in his first 16 games, a new Red Wings record.
In the playoffs, Z cranked it up another notch, which the superstars do when you think they couldn’t possibly. In 22 games, Zetterberg blistered the opposition for 27 points. He scored the Cup-winning goal in Game 6 of the finals. His penalty killing during a Pittsburgh Penguins five-on-three in the finals is stuff of legend.
The Red Wings won the Cup, and Z won the Conn Smythe Award for being the MVP of the playoffs.
And this was after seasons in which he scored 39 and 33 goals. Zetterberg was on pace to be the greatest Red Wing in the post-Yzerman Era.
He had the eye-popping numbers and an eye-popping life. The summer after winning the Cup, Z got engaged to Emma Andersson, a Swedish model and TV host.
Iggy Pop used to sing, “I wish life could be...Swedish magazines.”
Hank Zetterberg lived that life.
Zetterberg is a huge talent—maybe among the top five most skilled, blessed-by-God players the Red Wings have ever employed.
So why do I look at him nowadays and scratch my head?
Zetterberg followed up his magnificent 2007-08 season with 32 goals in ’08-09—not bad—and then dipped to 23 goals last season (not good).
Currently, with six games left to play, Zetterberg has 24 goals and 53 assists. Those are good numbers. But they’re not as good as what Hank Zetterberg is capable of producing.
Zetterberg has so much skill, so much strength, so much hockey IQ, that he should routinely be scoring 40 goals a season and threatening 100 points, especially playing on a team as peppered with talent as the Red Wings.
The past couple of seasons, Zetterberg has done this thing where he disappears for stretches of time, and I’m talking games, not minutes. The final horn would sound and you’d have to double-check with the official scoresheet to confirm that Zetterberg suited up that night. Sometimes, this happened several games in a row.
This was a travesty. It was like attending a performance of the Rat Pack and wondering how you missed Sinatra’s number.
But then Zetterberg reappears from his time MIA, and once again he becomes a man among little tykes on the ice. He takes possession of the puck and keeps it for a week. Without the puck, Zetterberg doesn’t act as if there’s a force field preventing him from entering his own zone, like so many of the goal scorers do in the NHL.
Such is Zetterberg’s greatness that he’s maybe the team’s best defensive forward, perhaps 1A to Pavel Datsyuk’s 1.
Ahh, Datsyuk—Z’s frequent linemate.
Coach Mike Babcock doesn’t know what to do with those two half the time. When the mood strikes him, Babcock puts them together, creating a pairing so lethal that the third player on the line is like the Fifth Beatle.
Other times, Babcock breaks them up, figuring that each is so good that he can create a second lethal line, like splitting an amoeba.
Zetterberg and Datsyuk are two different players, though.
Where Datsyuk is a magician with the puck, relying on sleight of hand rather than brute strength to keep possession, Zetterberg is more bull in the china shop. If they were an NFL backfield, Datsyuk would be the tailback, Zetterberg the fullback. And each would rush for over 1,000 yards.
When Datsyuk went down with an injury earlier in the season, Zetterberg put the Red Wings on his back—at first. Then he faded away again, mysteriously.
The true superstars don’t fade away, they don’t vanish, they don’t have you scurrying to the scoresheet to verify presence. Hank Zetterberg has all the talent in the world. He ought to be a true superstar in a league that he owns if he plays up to his potential.
Check that—he should be playing in his own league.
Yet he’s not doing that right now, and he hasn’t for at least two seasons. He is, without question, a very good player most of the time. But he has the ability and skill to be great all of the time.
The playoffs are almost here and if the Red Wings are going to go as far as the folks around town think they can, they need the superstar Zetterberg to be there, night after night. Not the very good Zetterberg, sometimes.
Or maybe he is hustling us, and the Red Wings, with Zetterberg leading the way, will run the table.
That would be Swede.
Eye Raising Statistics
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, April 1, 2011
None of the Detroit Red Wings escapes blame in their 10-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night. A look at the box score will tell you several interesting things.
First the good: Zetterberg scored a power-play goal. His third tally with the man-advantage in three consecutive games. After scoring just two goals in 26 games, Z has now scored six goals in the past eight matches. He has 24 goals this year and is on pace for 26 after scoring just 23 last year.
The bad: Hank had a minor penalty in the game, after sitting in the box when the Blackhawks won in overtime the game prior. Z has five minor penalties in the last nine games and has a career-high 40 penalty minutes this season.
The ugly: Zetterberg was on the ice for three of the Blues ten goals and was a -3 in the game. After going +9 in the first 14 games of the season, Henrik has been a terrible -13 since. He is now -4 with just five games remaining in the season. Z has never been a minus player. His previous low was +6 during his rookie season.
Detroit’s overall team defense and poor goaltending seems to be the primary cause of Hank’s sudden fall in this statistical category. It sure seems like he is one the ice a lot when the other teams are scoring. Often times, it seems he is trailing the play as opposed to hounding the puck carrier as he has done in the past. It looks like he is slower this season. Maybe this can explain his increase in taking penalties. He is interfering, holding, and tripping more than usual. Lately, it looks like he is getting outworked and outskated.
Hopefully Zetterberg and the Red Wings have a switch that they can flip to turn it on, as he and they always seem to do come playoff time.
-Henrik Zetterberg, on the Red Wing’s 10-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. March 30th, 2011.
"They outplayed us on every level. It's disgusting to play a game like that."
-Henrik Zetterberg, on the Red Wing’s 10-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues. March 30th, 2011.
