December 2007 Zetterberg Fan.com

Zetterberg Skating Hard, Close to Returning

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, December 31, 2007

The Detroit Red Wings had a morning skate prior to tonight’s New Year’s Eve game at the Joe Louis Arena versus the St. Louis Blues. Injured forward Henrik Zetterberg, who who has missed the last four games and will miss his fifth today with what is being termed back spasms/inflammation, participated in the practice and skated hard. According to Zetterberg, he is feeling better and is close to returning.

"I feel I'll come back real soon. Not tonight, obviously, but maybe in the next game. This is the first real hard practice with skating I've had and we'll see how it feels tomorrow,” said Zetterberg after the skate.

Barring a setback, it’s likely that Henrik will play on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars at home. If not, the Wings next game after that is in Dallas on Saturday.

After practice Zetterberg was joking about a cut he received on his nose that was still bleeding. "It's tough out there! You have to make the team. You have to work for it."

Back Troubles Could be a Cause for Concern

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, December 29^th, 2007

When Henrik Zetterberg sat out last weeks game against the Wild at the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota with back spasms, it was said that three days rest over the Christmas break should be enough to clear up the “stiffness”, and that he was expected to play in this past Wednesday’s road game in St. Louis. When that day came, it was reported that Zetterberg had not even made the three-game road trip with the team, and he will miss his fourth straight away-game tonight in Phoenix.

The latest news, from three days ago, is that Henrik has seen a back specialist, who says the injury isn’t significant, and that it is just inflammation. However, it was “just inflammation” that kept him out of the line-up for the last nineteen games of the 2006-2007 regular season. When he initially injured his back earlier this calendar year, they said then, that he would only miss a few games for some rest, just as they are saying now. I am afraid that they might be downplaying the seriousness of Zetterberg’s back troubles again this time, calling this similar back pain, but not a serious as last season’s.

Right now the Red Wings are saying that after some rest they expect Zetterberg back for the New Year’s Eve game at home against the Blues. But, if he is not ready to go on Monday, they could just say that he is “day to day” and needs more rest. This could lead to a lengthy period, with Z missing numerous games. If this happens, it would be a cause for serious concern and may have major implications. Is this re-occurring injury a developing chronic back problem? Could back troubles cost Henrik many games each season with long-term effects on the length of his career or the career totals that he may be able to attain?

Personal statistics aren’t usually a priority for a team, and Detroit has no reason to rush Zetterberg back into the line-up. Younger players such as Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler have picked up the slack offensively and the Red Wings sit at the top of the NHL standings. They would love to have Hank playing, but would prefer to have him resting until his back is “completely healed”, no matter how long that may take. It won’t cost the team anything in the standings and they would be sure that Zetterberg is fresh and healthy in the later part of the season and into the playoffs.

However, missing more than a half-dozen games could cost Zetterberg a chance at several NHL trophies. Currently, he has 25 goals (2nd in NHL) and 25 assists in 35 games. Even after missing the last three games his 50 points is still 2nd in the league behind Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lighting, who has 55 points in 37 games. Among the honors that Henrik is competing for are the Hart Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL's most valuable player, the Art Ross Trophy, which given to the player with the most points, the Rocket Richard Trophy, for the league's top goal scorer, and the Selke Trophy, honoring the top defensive forward.

Prior to missing any games, Zetterberg was on pace for 60 goals and 60 assists this season. Having missed just three games so far, he is now on pace for just 56 each. If he is out long-term, Hank’s first ever All-Star game appearance would be lost in addition to any possible scoring titles or associated trophies. As it stands right now, he is second overall and first among Western Conference forwards in All-star fan balloting with 291,952 votes. He was voted into last years All-star game but had to sit out due to tendonitis of the left wrist.

Z’s first ever 40 goal season could also be in jeopardy, but that is very unlikely. He only needs to score 15 more goals over the next 44 games.

This is all speculation at this point in time. It remains to be seen in the next few days and weeks just how bad Zetterberg’s back troubles really are. Hopefully, this is a new problem, completely unrelated to last season’s ailment. But I personally have my doubts. And in Henrik’s own words, “it’s the same back.”

A Zetterberg Christmas

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, December 26, 2007

According to quotes, Henrik Zetterberg planned on spending Christmas at his Bloomfield Hills home with his girlfriend, Swedish actress and model Emma Andersson. They had a more traditional Swedish Christmas meal.

"Me and Emma are going to celebrate at home, and she is going to do the cooking. We've ordered the Swedish ham and herring and meatballs. I am going to help out with the mustard. I make that. It's real strong, but has to have a sweet touch to it," says Henrik.

When asked what he wanted for Christmas, Zetterberg said, "I need a watch, so I can be on time.”

Update on Zetterberg's Back Spasms

Originally Posted By George James Malik, Mlive.com, December 23, 2007

December 23, Detroit News: (being) without [Henrik] Zetterberg was a surprise. Zetterberg had back spasms and as a precaution, what with three full days of no hockey coming up, the Wings felt it was best to sit him.

Remember, he missed the final 19 games last season because of back trouble. But Zetterberg doesn't feel this is similar.

…his back issues require maintenance on a daily basis, but there's no particular concern about whether he'll be able to play on Wednesday vs. St. Louis--mostly, the Wings wanted to nip Zetterberg's back spasms in the bud by giving him a few days off after playing five games in nine nights:

December 22, Detroit Free Press: Zetterberg said he's experiencing back spasms. "It's a little stiff today, so I'm not going to play [Saturday]," he said.

Asked if it was related to the back problems he had last spring, Zetterberg smiled. "I don't know," he said. "It's the same back. I don't know if it has something to do with it; hopefully not."

December 23, Detroit Free Press: Nothing in particular set off the spasms, Zetterberg said, noting he's felt pain in the area on and off since the season began.

"Today was the first time it was bad enough to not go out there," he said. "It's been pretty good lately and overall during the year."

Asked if it was related to the back problems he had last spring, when he missed the last 19 games of the regular season, Zetterberg smiled. "I really don't know, but on first impression, it's not even close to what it was last year. I don't know if we're going to get too worried. It's been a lot of games lately." "Hopefully I can skate on the 26th," he said.

Zetterberg Out with Back Spasms

Posted by George James Malik December 22, 2007

December 22, Detroit Free Press: Quick update from the morning skate here at the Xcel Energy Center: The Red Wings will be without Henrik Zetterberg (back) and Tomas Holmstrom (knee) tonight when they take on the Wild at Minnesota.

Zetterberg said he's experiencing back spasms. "It's a little stiff today, so I'm not going to play tonight," he said.

Asked if it was related to the back problems he had last spring, Zetterberg smiled. "I don't know," he said. "It's the same [part of my] back. I don't know if it has something to do with it; hopefully not. I don't know if we're going to get too worried."

Zetterberg said he would wait and see how his back feels over the next few days, as the Wings will take a three-day break after tonight's game.

The Free Press's Helene St. James says that Mark Hartigan's been recalled, and as such, Filppula, Datsyuk, and Cleary will form the Wings' top line.

There's good news on the Tomas Holmstrom front:

Holmstrom had an MRI this morning and the doctor "was ecstatic," Babcock told me, meaning the results, on the whole, were excellent. "It's not a big deal," Babcock said. "Now, does that big deal mean one game, two games, three? I don't know, but big-picture wise, it's fantastic."

Zetterberg feels that taking a little preventative medicine is a good idea at present:

December 22, RedWingsCorner: "I'm not too worried," said Zetterberg. "There's been a lot of games played. I feel a little bad today. Hopefully, I get three days off, I'll feel a little better after Christmas. Of course I want to play tonight, but if you think, be a little smart, you get a few days off and hopefully it won't get worse. ... Today was the first time it was bad enough to not go out there. We decided not to play. It's been pretty good lately. Overall for the year, it's been good and bad days, but overall it's been good."

Hank Ties Game Twice as Wings Salvage a Point at Home

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, December 13, 2007

Two times, the Edmonton Oilers took the lead, scoring go-ahead goals against goalie Dominik Hasek and the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena. And twice, star forward Henrik Zetterberg scored game-tying goals to push the game to overtime and eventually a shoot-out, where Zetterberg and the Wings failed to score. Detroit lost 4-3, only earning a point in the standings.

Zetterberg’s first goal was a powerplay goal, coming at 13:24 of the second period with Edmonton up 2-1. Unguarded between the face-off circles, Hank re-directed a pass from defenseman Brian Rafalski into the Oiler’s net behind goaltender Dwayne Roloson.

With just 2:40 remaining in the game, with the Oilers leading 3-2, Zetterberg carried the puck around the net and out into the right face-off circle. Spinning, he fired a shot that seemed to clip Edmonton defenseman Tom Gilbert as it whizzed by Roloson’s glove and into the back of the goal.

The goals, Henrik’s 22^nd and 23^rd of the season were his 7^th and 8^th career goals on Roloson, tying him with Nikolai Khabibulin as the two net-minders that Zetterberg has scored the most goals against.

Zetterberg has 43 points in 31 games this season, second in the NHL behind leading points-scorer Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who has 48 total points.

Wings’ Morale Doing Well

By Christy Hammond, Behindthejersey.com, December 13, 2007

The Wings seem to be enjoying their recent success and it’s reflective in their carefree attitudes after practice.

Forward Henrik Zetterberg was explaining his thoughts on how the Red Wings have built a second seven-game winning streak this season when he spotted teammate Niklas Kronwall kneeling by his locker.

Zetterberg burst out laughing and quipped, “Question, Kronner?”

Kronwall didn’t have one; he was merely making a point about Zetterberg’s ability to draw a crowd.

Zetterberg had a question of his own: Where was linemate Tomas Holmstrom, who didn’t practice Wednesday? “I miss him out there,” Zetterberg said.

An article in the Windsor Star adds a bit more to the story:

Henrik Zetterberg was shooting a promo for the NHL before Wednesday’s practice and he reduced the TV crew to the same tangled mess he’s turned defences in to this season.

On his final take, Zetterberg zigzagged up the Joe Louis Arena ice until the sled carrying the cameraman slid into the skater pulling it creating a heap of humanity and camera equipment.

“That was pretty funny,” Zetterberg said. “It’ll be interesting to see how it turns out.”

Zetterberg’s teammates also gave him the star treatment after practice.

Nearby locker-room neighbour Niklas Kronwall pretended to join the scrum of reporters quizzing Zetterberg. When asked if he’d like to ask a question by Zetterberg, Kronwall got down on his knees and bowed at the feet of Zetterberg repeatedly uttering ‘We’re not worthy.”

Lidstrom, Zetterberg continue to Lead West Pack

NHL.com, December 12th, 2007

Red Wings teammates Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg continue to top all Western Conference defensemen and forwards, respectively, in the NHL All-Star fan balloting. Lidstrom’s 301,245 votes lead the West overall while Zetterberg’s 210,890 votes are the most among forwards. More than 7.9 million votes have been cast in the all-digital voting program.

The voting will determine the starting lineups for the 2008 NHL All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, January 27 in Atlanta. Fans can vote for six Eastern Conference All-Stars and six Western Conference All-Stars: three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender for each team. If a player is not listed on the ballot, a space is provided for write-in votes. The three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender from each Conference receiving the most votes will comprise the starting lineups. Each of the 30 NHL Clubs has at least two representatives on the ballot.

Lidstrom and Calgary defenseman Dion Phaneuf (203,326) are the top defensemen in votes. Zetterberg, Red Wings teammate Pavel Datsyuk (174,141) and Flames right wing Jarome Iginla (149,550) are the top three forwards. Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo (154,591) leads all goaltenders.

Through Jan. 2, fans around the world can go online at NHL.com to “Vote Now, Vote Often” for the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star starters for the 2008 NHL All-Star Game. U.S. fans also can cast votes through Verizon Wireless Mobile Web 2.0-enabled phones.

“Z” Surges into 30^th Place on the Red Wings All-time Scoring Leaders List

with a Wild Hat Trick

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, December 8, 2007

AmaZing! Detroit Red Wings superstar forward Henrik Zetterberg continues his torrid scoring pace this season having scored seven points in the last three games after last nights three-goal game in a 5-0 win over the Minnesota Wild at the Joe Louis Arena. Zetterberg scored a goal in each of the three periods for his second career NHL hat trick.

His first goal of the night, the eventual game-winner in a shut-out by goalie Dominik Hasek, happened 17:43 into the first period with a delayed-penalty called against Minnesota. Zetterberg was hanging out alone near the bottom of the left face-off circle on the open side of Wild goaltender Josh Harding’s net when Pavel Datsyuk sent a unexpected cross-ice pass to Zetterberg, who wristed a sharp-angle shot past Harding on his glove side.

The first period goal, Henrik’s 128^th career tally, gave him 278 career points, passing Red Wings greats Carl Liscombe, Modere "Mud" Bruneteau, and Larry Aurie for 30^th place on .

Henrik’s second period goal was his 5^th career short-handed goal. At 5:31 of the second period, with Wing’s defenseman Brett Lebda off for hooking, Zetterberg picked up a loose puck along the boards in the Red Wings end, off of a turnover by Minnesota’s Pierre-Marc Bouchard, and carried it through center ice and into the Wild’s zone. In Minnesota’s end, Henrik criss-crossed with fellow Swede Johan Franzen and dished him a back-handed pass. As Franzen drew the defenders to the right side of the ice, Zetterberg circled around the left side of the net alone, took a centering pass from his penalty-kill partner and moved to the front of the crease. Harding moved desperately to his glove side, reaching across the crease as Zetterberg patiently glided to the far side of the net and smoothly lifted a shot over the outstretched net-minder. The goal made it a 2-0 Red Wings lead.

The hat-trick was completed just 41 seconds into the third period. Henrik was open at the top of the right face-off circle when he one-timed a pass from Datsyuk past Harding, with line-mate Tomas Holmstrom parked in front of the goalie. The goal, his 21^st of the season in just 28 games, gave Zetterberg his 40^th point, second in the NHL behind leading points-scorer Vincent Lecavalier of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who has 45 total points.

Zetterberg his having a career season to date, having registered at least a point in 26 of 28 games so far. He is on an unbelievable pace for 62 goals and 56 assists for 117 points. If you factor this seasons stats into his career averages, he is more likely to finish with around 44 goals and 46 assists for 89 points which would be new personal bests.

After 28 Games: 21 goals for Zetterberg

By George Sipple, Free Press, December 8, 2007

… impressive after 28 games- 21 goals and 40 points by Henrik Zetterberg.

Zetterberg scored his second career hat trick in a 5-0 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Friday night at Joe Louis Arena. He has scored at least a point in 26 games with a goal in each of the past three games. Pavel Datsyuk assisted on all of Zetterberg's goals.

Zetterberg scored in each period. His one-timer from the right circle deflected in off the stick of Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson 41 seconds into the third, giving the Wings a 5-0 lead.

"It was a good night for the whole team," Zetterberg said. "We played a solid game again. I got a chance to score three, and that's always fun to do that.

"It's not often you have a chance to do that. Great play by Pavel once again. He made a great pass."

Zetterberg opened the scoring at 17:43 of the first on a delayed penalty and gave the Wings a 2-0 lead at 5:31 of the second with a shorthanded goal.

Zetterberg continued to rack up highlight-reel goals. A pass from Datsyuk got goaltender Josh Harding out of position, and Zetterberg scored from the bottom of the left circle in the first period.

(In the second period) Zetterberg fed Franzen a pass during a Wild power play. Franzen got his own rebound and passed to Zetterberg, who curled around to the left of Harding before firing the puck just inside the far right post for his 20th goal.

Wings' Zetterberg Tricks Wild

By Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News, December 8, 2007

He has been good often this season, but rarely has Henrik Zetterberg been better than Friday against the Minnesota Wild.

The Red Wings made the Wild look foolish all evening in a 5-0 victory, but it was Zetterberg who single-handedly mystified Minnesota with three goals.

The Wings' star now has 21 goals for the season, five in the last three games, and is cementing his status daily around the league as a possible Most Valuable Player.

"When you're playing with great players it makes it a lot easier," Zetterberg said. "When you have great players around you, and you get a lot of ice time, and when things are clicking like the power play is, it's easier to get points."

It was the second career hat trick for Zetterberg, who had one Feb. 17 against Phoenix. He had one shorthanded goal Friday, while the other two were even strength.

"Of course when you get two goals you want to get the third," Zetterberg said. "You want to score goals and when you have an opportunity to do a hat trick, you dig a little extra. Pavel made a great pass on the third one and I was just firing away and hoping for the best."

Zetterberg's Trick Leads Wings Over Wild

By Lindsey Ungar, Detroit Red Wings.com, December 7, 2007

Henrik Zetterberg was the clear first star of the game in Detroit’s 5-0 win over the Minnesota Wild on Friday night. But that’s nothing new to the Red Wings’ leading scorer.
Zetterberg has collected points in 26 of 28 games this season. He’s tied for second in NHL scoring with 40 points, and is first amongst Western Conference forwards in All-Star game voting (175,270 votes).
On Friday, he added his second-career hat trick to the growing list of achievements. Not bad for the Red Wings’ seventh-round draft choice in 1999.
“Your best players have got to be your best players,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “That’s what makes you good.”
The first came off a long feed from Pavel Datsyuk, who found Zetterberg waiting to the right of Minnesota netminder Josh Harding. Harding couldn’t grab the sharp-angled shot with his glove, opening up the Red Wings’ scoring at 17:43 of the first.
He added his second shorthanded. On a rush down ice, Johan Franzen shot wide of the net, but collected the puck and found Zetterberg, who again was alone in front of Harding. Zetterberg waited until Harding dropped, and then curled the puck around the netminder before finally chipping a shot into the corner of the net. That built the Wings’ lead to 2-0 just
five minutes into the second period.
Less than a minute into the third, Datsyuk found Zetterberg hanging in the faceoff circle. Zetterberg’s one-timer deflected off a Minnesota stick before sailing past Harding for the 5-0 Detroit lead.
“I think we had control of the game right from the beginning,” Zetterberg said. “When we’re up three, four goals in this building it’s tough to beat us.”

Together or Apart, Wings' Stars Shine

By Ansar Khan, Mlive.com, December 06, 2007

When Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are together, they're terrific; when they're separated, they're superb.

It is a win-win situation for Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock. When he plays the star forwards on the same line, with Tomas Holmstrom, they often dominate opponents who can't shut down both at the same time. When he plays them on different lines, like he has more often lately, foes can't concentrate their checking line against both talented players.

"That's huge for us, they can carry one line each," Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "What's their team going to do when you split them up? All of a sudden you got two lines going instead of one super line and three good lines. It makes it a lot tougher on the other teams. One guy doesn't have the puck, the other one's got it."

Babcock is more apt to split the pair on the road, where he doesn't have the last line change. But he also has done it at home. Sometimes they will start the game on the same line and switch after a few shifts, like in Tuesday's 4-1 victory in Montreal. Opponents are having difficulty adjusting.

"It gives the team a little different look," Zetterberg said. "It's fun to play with Sammy (Mikael Samuelsson) and the Mule (Johan Franzen) once in a while."

Zetterberg was red-hot the first few weeks of the season, fashioning a franchise-record 17-game points streak. Now, Datsyuk is sizzling; he will take a five-game goal-scoring streak into Friday's game against Minnesota at Joe Louis Arena and has eight goals and five assists in his past eight games.

"When I'm out there I encourage him to pass to me," Zetterberg joked. "But he has a great shot and he should shoot more. He always shoots at the right time, when the goalie doesn't see it."

Datsyuk's willingness to shoot more creates a dilemma for opposing defensemen who don't know if he is going to embarrass them with a highlight-reel move, set up a teammate with a slick pass or just fire the puck with his much-improved wrist shot.

"He's good at deking and going around the defenseman, too, so it's tough for the defenseman to come out one-on-one with Pavel," Zetterberg said.

Babcock will continue splitting the pair or teaming them up at various times in games, depending on the situation. And there is no reason to believe they won't continue to flourish either way.

"They get to scoring areas whenever they want to, at will," Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood said. "Their shots are great, they're capable of creating offense a lot of other guys aren't. We hope not to rely on them every night because that would be unfair to them. But they are our horses, no doubt."

Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk Lethal Together or Apart

By Helene St. James, Free Press, December 6, 2007

The way the Red Wings see it, opponents are free to pick their poison. They can attempt to defuse Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk as a package deal, or they can deal with them on separate lines. Either way, the Wings usually win.

The two, who typically have played together with Tomas Holmstrom since the second game of the season, are enjoying a little time apart these days. They were on separate lines during Wednesday's practice, just like in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over Montreal. They centered separate lines after starting the game together.

Coach Mike Babcock split up the two to thwart the Canadiens' attempt to match the line against Saku Koivu, which freed up Alex Kovalev. Datsyuk responded with two goals and an assist, Zetterberg with a goal and an assist.

"That's huge for us," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said Wednesday. "They can carry one line each. Like yesterday, what's their team going to do when you split them up? All of a sudden you have two lines going instead of one super line. It makes it a lot tougher on other teams."

At the start of the season, the plan was to have Zetterberg (18 goals, 19 assists) and Datsyuk (11 goals, 20 assists) on different lines, but that plan dissipated when Johan Franzen got hurt in the second game. The two were united and became the hottest line in the NHL in October and much of November. But as they showed Tuesday, Zetterberg's line with Franzen and Mikael Samuelsson and Datsyuk's with Tomas Holmstrom and Valtteri Filppula work well, too.

"We have fun when we play with each other and we play on the power play with each other, so that's a big part of the game," Zetterberg said. "We see each other enough, and it's fun to play with (Samuelsson) and (Franzen) once in a while."

Separate or apart, the two are lethal.

"They've won a lot of games for us," goaltender Chris Osgood said. "Last night, they dominated the game, those two guys -- they're the reason we won the game. They get to scoring areas whenever they want to, at will, and their shots are great and they're capable of creating offense that a lot of other guys aren't capable of doing in the league. They're guys we rely on. We hope not to rely on them every night, because that would be unfair to them ... but, they are our horses, no doubt."

For Wings, Splitting Stars Works Out, too

By Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News, December 6, 2007

One super line, or two very, very good ones.

It's a nice option for Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, one more of his counterparts would love to have.

The opportunity to play Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk together on a line, with Tomas Holmstrom, worked extremely well late last season and again this season.

It's arguably been the best line in hockey over that time.

On Tuesday at Montreal, Babcock split the stars, and each centered his own line. That benefited the Wings, who won 4-1.

Datsyuk had two goals and an assist on Zetterberg's power-play goal, skating with Holmstrom and Valtteri Filppula. Zetterberg skated on a line with Johan Franzen and Mikael Samuelsson.

"It gives the team a little different look," Zetterberg said. "It worked good."

Montreal was trying to match its top line, centered by Saku Koivu, against the Wings' top line. Babcock decided to split Zetterberg and Datsyuk to create better matchups.

"They were both playing so good, it didn't matter," Babcock said of his decision to split the duo. "They were great together and apart. But everybody who dressed last night (Tuesday) was real good."

After piling on the assists but slowly adding goals, Datsyuk has become one of the hottest goal scorers around with seven in the last five games, and scoring a goal in five consecutive games.

Datsyuk (11 goals, 20 assists) trails Zetterberg (18-19) by six points.

"He (Datsyuk) has a great shot, and he should shoot the puck a lot more," Zetterberg said. "We have fun when we play together, (but) it's fun to play with Samuelsson and Mule (Franzen) once in awhile."

Having that type of offensive strength and depth only makes the Wings stronger.

"That's huge for us," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said.

"They can carry one line each. When you can have two lines going instead of one super line, it makes it a lot tougher for the other team."

Three Wings Lead West Voting

NHL.com, Dec 5, 2007

Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom holds onto the lead in the West for the consecutive week with 246,144 votes while forwards Henrik Zetterberg (175,270) and Pavel Datsyuk (134,661) are second and fourth, respectively. The voting will determine the starting lineups for the 2008 NHL All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, January 27 in Atlanta.
Through Jan. 2, fans around the world can go online at NHL.com to “Vote Now, Vote Often” for the Eastern and Western Conference All-Star starters for the 2008 NHL All-Star Game.