Henrik Gets Three More Assists in a Season of Personal Bests

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, March 29, 2008

Henrik Zetterberg continued his career domination over the division-rival St. Louis Blues, collecting three more assists in last night’s 4-3 overtime loss in Detroit.

In his career, he has played 30 games against the Blues, more than any other team, netting 15 goals and 21 assists for 36 total points with a +22 (plus/minus), all .

After last night’s match, Hank now has a six game point scoring streak with five goals and six assists since March 16th against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Zetterberg’s three points in the game give him a career-high 48 assists to go with his career-high 41 goals. With 89 total points in 71 games played this season, Zetterberg ranks 7^th amongst league leaders. He should become the first Detroit player to be in the top ten league leading point-getters since legendary captain Steve Yzerman finished tenth in the NHL with 79 total points in 1999-2000.

Hank is having an amazing season with 33 power-play points, and 338 shots on goal, second in the NHL behind only Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. Zetterberg is also 4^th in the league with a +30 (plus/minus). He is a strong candidate for the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward.

Z is the first Red Wing to break into the top 10 league leading goal scorers since Brendan Shanahan had 37 goals in the 2001-02 season. Henrik’s 41 goals are the most by a Red Wing since Shanny had 46 over ten years ago in 1996-97.

Henrik Zetterberg has had the best season of his 5-year NHL career. Had he not missed seven mid-season games with back problems or slumped in the month of February while toiling on the second line with Mikael Samuelsson vice Pavel Datsyuk, he could have easily been a top-three scorer and given consideration for several more individual awards!

Wings' Top Forwards Contribute on 'D'

By Ansar Khan, Mlive.com, March 27, 2008

Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg bring fans out of their seats with their electrifying feats in the offensive zone. But their dedication and hard work without the puck is just as impressive.

The Detroit Red Wings hope that aspect of their game isn't overlooked by voters for the NHL's postseason awards. The team believes both should be finalists for the Selke Trophy as the league's top defensive forward.

"We're lucky our two best offensive players might be our two best defensive players (among forwards)," general manager Ken Holland said. "That's rare."

Neither has been a Selke finalist before, but Holland rattled of a multitude of reasons why both are worthy this season: "We're No. 1 in goals against, they play 20 minutes-plus every night against other teams' best players. Both are pushing plus-40 (in plus-minus ratings). Both kill penalties."

Zetterberg was a tremendous defensive forward when he entered the league in 2002-03 after years of playing in Sweden, where he said a center's primary role is to be stronger in his own end. Datsyuk has improved his defensive play immensely since arriving from Russia in 2001-02.

"Between them, I don't think there's anyone better at doing it at both ends," teammate Chris Chelios said.

They're similar not only in their skills but also in how they read the game, how they see the ice, and in their ability to strip the puck from opponents.

Datsyuk is second in the NHL with a plus-40 rating, behind teammate Nicklas Lidstrom, who's at plus-41. Zetterberg is fourth in the league at plus-29.

"If you create a lot of offense, you also want to play solid defense," Zetterberg said. "It's fun, when we're up a goal or two, to be on the ice and defend. It's the same amount of fun to hunt for a goal as it is to defend a lead.

"If I'm mentioned as a Selke (finalist), then it's a big honor just to be a nominee."

Forty for 40

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, March 23, 2008

It’s been five years in the making. Detroit Red Wings star forward, Henrik Zetterberg, finally reached the goal mark in a season, to match his jersey number, becoming the first Red Wing 40 goal scorer since Brendan Shanahan did it in 2005-06.

Zetterberg scored the game-winning goal, his 6^th deciding goal of the season, in a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jackets last night in Columbus. The goal was a power-play goal, his fifteenth of the year, coming at 9:41 of the first period and giving Detroit a 2-0 lead that they would not relinquish. On the play, Henrik passed the puck down-low to Pavel Datsyuk near the right boards and then slipped into the slot unguarded to receive a cross-ice pass from Datsyuk knocking it into the net behind Blue Jacket’s goalie Fredrik Norrena. It was Zetterberg’s 4^th goal in the past two games against Columbus. Hank had a natural hat trick in the third period of 3-1 come-from-behind win last Wednesday in Detroit.

With the goal tonight, Henrik is now tied for seventh in league scoring with 85 total points. (40 goals and 45 assists). He is still on pace for career highs of 43 goals, 49 assists, 92 points and a +32 (plus/minus). His previous career highs are 39 goals, 46 assists, 85 points and a +29 in 2005-06.

Z’s new career-high 40^th goal gives him his 149^th through five seasons, along with 176 assists for 325 points in 349 career games. He has now passed Hall-of-Famer Ebbie Goodfellow for 24^th place on the Red Wings All-time Scoring Leaders list.

Making it to the forty goal mark puts Hank in some lofty company on a list of only 12 previous Red Wings legends.

40   Henrik Zetterberg        2007-08

40   Brendan Shanahan         2005-06

41   Brendan Shanahan         1999-00

46   Brendan Shanahan         1996-97

56  Sergei Fedorov               1993-94

52  Ray Sheppard                 1993-94

58  Steve Yzerman               1992-93

41  Dino Ciccarelli                1992-93

45  Steve Yzerman               1991-92

51  Steve Yzerman               1990-91

62  Steve Yzerman               1989-90

65  Steve Yzerman               1988-89

50  Steve Yzerman               1987-88

55  John Ogrodnick              1984-85

42  John Ogrodnick              1983-84

41  John Ogrodnick              1982-83

50  Danny Grant                   1974-75

47  Marcel Dionne               1974-75

51  Mickey Redmond          1973-74

52  Mickey Redmond          1972-73

40  Marcel Dionne              1972-73

42  Mickey Redmond         1971-72

42  Gary Unger                  1969-70

49  Frank Mahovlich          1968-69

44  Gordie Howe               1968-69

44  Norm Ullman               1966-67

40  Gordie Howe               1966-67

42  Norm Ullman               1964-65

44  Gordie Howe               1956-57

49  Gordie Howe               1952-53

47  Gordie Howe               1951-52

43  Gordie Howe               1950-51

Z is Back, Breaking Out of Seven Game Goal-less Streak with Hat Trick

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, March 19th, 2008

It was Henrik Zetterberg Flag night in Detroit and the star forward gave the home fans even more, breaking out of his seven game goalless streak in a big way, scoring all three goals with a third period natural hat trick in the Red Wings big 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight at the Joe Louis Arena.

Z’s first goal came 6:43 into the third period when the Wings needed it, trailing 1-0. The goal was a thing of beauty. Zetterberg took a pass from defenseman Brian Rafalski at his own blue line and gained speed as he carried the puck through the neutral zone. He split the two Blue Jackets defensemen as he entered Columbus’s zone and pushed a backhanded shot through the five-hole of goaltender Freddie Norrena, tying the game. You could tell by the smile on his face that Henrik was relieved to finally get that goal. After that, he just took over.

Hank’s second goal came on the powerplay at 18:06. Open in the left face-off circle, Zetterberg took a cross-crease pass from Pavel Datsyuk and one-timed it into the open net behind Norrena. It was his 14^th power play goal of the season. It was also the game-winning goal, his fifth this year.

Just 35 seconds later, with time running down, Henrik stole a Jiri Novotny pass off of the stick of Nikolai Zherdev and raced into the Blue Jackets end on a breakaway. Norrena came out of the crease to attempt a poke check, but Zetterberg patiently held onto the puck, moving around the sprawled net-minder, and tucking it into the open net for his third career hat trick.

Tonight’s goals were Henrik’s 37^th, 38^th, and 39^th of the season, tying his career high from last year. With just three goals in the previous seventeen games, the possibility of Zetterberg scoring 40 goals for the first time in his career seemed to be in jeopardy. With three tally’s tonight, he needs just one more in the next eight games to become the Red Wing’s first 40 goal scorer since Brendan Shanahan did it in 2005-06.

With this evening’s points, Henrik is now in a three-way tie for seventh in league scoring with 83 total points. (39 goals and 44 assists). He is still on pace for career highs of 44 goals, 49 assists, 93 points and a +31 (plus/minus).

Fans who attended March 19th's game against Columbus received this free flag featuring Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg, who scored a "Natural Hat Trick" in the contest.

Too Much Zetterberg for Jackets

By Dave Waddell, Windsor Star, March 19, 2008

After watching another listless home performance for 30 minutes, Wings coach Mike Babcock began tinkering with the chemistry of his lines.
Putting Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk on the same line, the splendid Swede responded with a third-period hat trick to give Detroit a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets Wednesday.
…there was no denying Zetterberg in a moment of sheer puck genius which saw him finish a long dash by splitting the defence and backhanding his shot through Norrena at 6:43 of the third.
Zetterberg then scored the winner on the power play at 18:06 by rifling in a shot from the slot. He got his third career hat trick 35 seconds later on a breakaway after stealing the puck at centre ice

Hats off to Hank:

Zetterberg's Third-period Hat Trick Sparks Comeback

By George Sipple, Free Press, March 20, 2008

Henrik Zetterberg got his third and prevented the Red Wings from getting theirs against Columbus.

Zetterberg's third-period hat trick gave the Wings a 3-1 win at Joe Louis Arena over the Blue Jackets, who were trying to beat the Wings for the third straight time this season and for the second time in four days.

The Wings struggled for two periods to get quality scoring chances and trailed, 1-0.

"We had a tough start in the first," Zetterberg said. "We had a lot of penalties, and it's tough for us to get momentum going. We battled through it, and as the game went on we got better. In the third we turned it up a notch, and they had back-to-back (games), so they might have been a little tired."

Zetterberg got to another level himself to get the Wings back in the game. He took a pass from Brian Rafalski, carried the puck through the neutral zone, over the blue line, split two defenders and slipped the puck through the five hole of goalie Fredrik Norrena to tie the game at 6:43.

"I thought it was a great individual effort on the first goal, going pretty much end-to-end," said Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom. "He had two defensemen on him and he went right through them."

With Johan Franzen drawing attention in front of the net, Pavel Datsyuk slid a cross-ice pass to Zetterberg on a power play, and he buried a low shot just inside the left post at 18:06.

Zetterberg completed his third career hat trick 35 seconds later following a turnover by Nikolai Zherdev. Norrena came out to challenge, and Zetterberg slipped around him and scored into an open net. The crowd erupted in cheers, and several fans threw their hats on the ice in celebration.

"It was a drop pass, and the other guy wasn't really ready for it," Zetterberg said. "So I picked it up and the goalie didn't really (think) I had control of the puck and came out. I just took a step on the side and put it in the net."

Zetterberg, who hadn't scored a goal in his previous seven games, has 39 this season. His second hat trick was Dec. 7, 2007, vs. Minnesota.

Zetterberg's Hat Trick Lifts Wings' Over Jackets

By Bruce MacLeod, Journal Register News Service, March 20, 2008

Henrik Zetterberg got his third career hat trick, scoring three goals in 11:58 of the third period to negate a one-goal Columbus lead.

"We can't be giving the puck up to that guy," said Columbus captain Rick Nash.

The Blue Jackets gave the puck to Zetterberg, actually he intercepted a drop pass from Jiri Novotny that was intended for Nikolai Zherdev, late in the third period when they were desperately trying to rally from a 2-1 deficit. Zetterberg skated in on goalie Fredrik Norrena, who slid out to challenge. Zetterberg sidestepped the netminder and lifted the puck into the unguarded goal to complete the hat trick and seal the Detroit victory.

"He hasn't been scoring at the same rate he usually does," said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. "He's had a lot of chances and shots and didn't score. You knew it was going to come."

Despite having a team-high 39 goals, Zetterberg entered last night's game on a seven-game goal drought, having scored just one goal in the previous 11 contests.

His goal-less streak ended seven minutes into the third period on an outstanding individual effort. Carrying the puck in alone with defensemen Jan Hejda and Rostislav Klesla back, Zetterberg snuck between the pair then put the puck through Norrena's legs. That tied the score at 1-1.

"He had two defensemen against him, but he went right through them," said Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom. "Great individual effort to get the team going."

Zetterberg gave the Red Wings the lead with 1:54 on the third-period clock, netting a power-play goal. The play started with Pavel Datsyuk getting the puck in the slot, then finding Zetterberg camped low in the faceoff circle. Zetterberg's shot went through a big hole to the right of Norrena, created by Johan Franzen's commotion in front of the net.

"Mule (Franzen) is really big in front, drawing a lot of people and attention to him," said Zetterberg. "It was a while ago since the puck went in. There were a lot of chances, but the puck hasn't really gone in. It was nice to get that one out of the way."

Zetterberg's scoring spree was helped when the Red Wings moved Datsyuk onto his line early in the second period with Mikael Samuelsson remaining on the right side.

Does Datsyuk enjoy being on Zetterberg's line?

"Everybody likes to play with Hank," said Datsyuk.

Zetterberg Makes Night with Hat Trick

By Ted Kulfan, Detroit News, March 20, 2008

No one threw out the Henrik Zetterberg flags given out as a promotion Wednesday night. The fans kept those.

But they littered the ice with caps, after Zetterberg scored three goals in the third period, sparking the Red Wings to a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It was his third career hat trick, and second this season. The goals gave him 39 for the season.

It doesn't happen very often," said Zetterberg, who had gone seven games without a goal. "It was tough to get momentum going in the first two periods. There were a lot of penalties. But we turned it up a notch in the third period, and they played last night, and maybe they didn't have as much energy."

Zetterberg showed a little more emotion than usual after scoring his first goal, tying the game at 6:43 of the third period.

Taking a pass from Brian Rafalski near his own blue line, Zetterberg skated up the ice, split a pair of Blue Jackets defenders and sneaked the puck through Fredrik Norrena's pads.

No doubt, it'll make all the highlight shows.

"It was a while ago when the puck went in," said Zetterberg of the pumping of his arms after the first goal. "We were creating a lot of chances. It was nice to get that one out of the way."

Zetterberg had a team-high six shots on goal, and could have scored a goal or two more if not for the goaltending of Norrena.

"He had some good chances on the power play early," Nicklas Lidstrom said. "It was a great individual effort on the first goal and it got the team going."

"We had lost the last two in a row; we wanted to win this one," Zetterberg said. Coach Mike Babcock reunited Zetterberg with Pavel Datsyuk in the third period and the move ignited the Wings.

"They picked things up for us," Babcock said.