Top Twenty Games

Ranking System: (Goal=1*, GWG=2*, OT GWG=2.5*,  Assist=.5*,  Assist on GWG= 1*,   +1=.5*,  Win=.5*, Special Occasion=1*, Playoff Game=1*)

#1 11/14/09 VS Anaheim   W7-4  3G (GWG/4th Career Hat Trick)  2A (1st Career 5 pt game)  7SOG  22:47   (7*)

Zetterberg’s Hat Trick/ Career Best Five-Point Game Powers Detroit over Anaheim

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, November 14, 2009

Superstar forward Henrik Zetterberg had a third-period hat trick and a career-high five point game, lifting his Detroit Red Wings to a big 7-4 victory over their conference rivals, the Anaheim Ducks, tonight on home ice at the Joe Louis Arena.

Zetterberg played the best regular-season game of his seven-season NHL career, centering a line with wingers Dan Cleary and rookie Ville Leino and going up against the Duck’s top forwards Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.

Henrik started his point scoring off assisting on a late 1^st period power play goal by defenseman Brian Rafalski. With only 44 seconds left in the opening period, Zetterberg raced into the offensive end, forechecking in the left corner. Z managed to just tip an attempted clearing pass by Anaheim defenseman Nick Boynton. The deflected pass caromed through the slot to a wide-open Rafalski, who stepped into it with a booming slapshot that got through the five-hole of goalie Jonas Hiller. The goal gave the Wings a 2-0 lead heading into the 1^st intermission.

The rest of Zetterberg’s points would come in the 3^rd period. Just five minutes into the final period, Detroit had the man-advantage with the score tied 2-2. Again, Z was aggressively pursuing the puck in the offensive zone and deflected another clearing attempt by the Ducks. This time is was Perry. The deflected puck was gloved down by Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom at the blueline and sent along the right boards to Pavel Datsyuk. Zetterberg took a pass from Datsyuk in the right face-off circle and then backhanded a shot high over the net, hard off the glass, and around to Rafalski. Rafalski zipped a nice shot-pass to Datsyuk at the right side of the crease for an easy deflection into the open net. The whole play was due to Henrik’s pressure on the defender and keeping the puck in the offensive zone. On the play, Zetterberg collected his 2^nd assist of the game. It was his team-leading 14^th assist of the season.

Midway through the 3^rd, with the score knotted up at three apiece, Cleary battled the puck into the offensive zone along the left wing boards then dropped a sweet cross-ice pass to Z streaking into the play. Hank took the pass at the top of the face-off circles and fired a hard slapper that Duck’s defensman Ryan Whitney and bounces to Hiller’s left pad. The netminder makes the kick save, but Zetterberg follows his original shot into the slot, picks up the rebound, and lifts a back-handed shot over the sprawling goalies head.

Once more, the Wings had the go-ahead goal. However, just a few minutes later Zetterberg backchecked brilliantly, knocking the puck away from a breaking Anaheim forward by cleanly tapping the player’s stick. Z was nailed with a bogus slashing penalty, which was followed promptly by a too many men on the ice call. The Duck’s scored on the subsequent 5-on-3 power play with just over five minutes left in the match. But their momentum didn’t last long. Cleary carried the puck across the blueline and dished another pass across to Zetterberg on his right, setting up a one-timer from the top of the face-off circle. Henrik slapped a hard shot that waffled, glanced off of Hiller’s left shoulder, hit the right post, and found its way into the far side of the net. Zetterberg’s 2^nd tally of the night, with just 4:31 remaining on the clock, would end up being the game winner, his 4^th game-winning goal of the season.

But Z wasn’t done yet. There were only a few seconds left in the game with Detroit now up 6-4, when defenseman Niklas Kronwall picked up a loose puck in the Wing’s own end and sent it over to Zetterberg striding down the left wing side. Henrik skated it out of the defensive end and snapped a sharp wrister from just past center ice and into the empty net to seal the win and to earn his 4^th career hat trick and his first ever five-point game in his 450^th career NHL game. The hat trick was the first for a Red Wings in more than a full season, since Z scored the last one on March 19^th, 2008 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The goal was also Hank’s team-leading 22^nd point. With 8 goals and 14 assists through 18 games, Zetterberg is on pace for 36 goals, a career-high 64 assists, and 100 points this year.

“It was just nice to get the two points," said Zetterberg. "I had a lot of chances early. I think I had five shots on one shift in the first period and I knew I just had to keep going. I got two nice passes from Clears (Danny Cleary) and they ended up in the net. It was nice to finally get some."

#2   2/17/07 VS Phoenix    W4-1   3G (GWG/1st Career Hat Trick)   1A    6SOG    20:41    (7*)

HAT TRICK!

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, February 17, 2007

Henrik Zetterberg is on a hot streak! Tonight, in the desert, he was on fire, bagging his first career hat trick and adding an assist for the Detroit Red Wings in their 4-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. The hat trick came on three consecutive power-play goals.

Zetterberg’s first power-play goal of the game gave the Wings a 1-0 lead half-way through the second period. Mathieu Schneider made a nice back-handed pass from near the blue line to Zetterberg, who fired a wrist shot from the center of the right face-off circle and past Phoenix’s Swedish goalie Michael Tellqvist, who was screened by fellow Swede Tomas Holmstrom.

Seven minutes and thirty-one seconds later Zata got what appeared to be his second goal, making it a 2-0 game. Schneider took a slap shot from the point and Zetterberg jammed the rebound under Tellqvist. The official motioned no goal and play continued for another minute. However, after reviewing the play it was determined that the puck had crossed the line, and the goal counted. The goal ended up being the game-winner.

Henrik scored his third consecutive goal of the game, again on the power-play at 15:36 of the third period. Pavel Datsyuk set up the play, cutting into the slot and dishing the puck to Hank who was streaking in towards the crease from the right face-off circle. He knocked it in for his team-leading 30^th goal of the season and first career hat trick. 

Zetterberg got his helper on Jason Williams empty-net goal with just eleven seconds left in the game, making it his third four-point game of the season. Henrik has been on an amazing run lately, scoring or assisting on all eight of the Red Wings goals during the three-game road trip. He has 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points in the past 10 games, putting him on pace for a career-high 41 goals and 46 assists this season.

#3  1/12/06  VS Philadelphia  W6-3  2G(GWG)  2A  +3   3SOG    19:12   (7*)

(Yzerman 1050th career assist)

Henrik Zetterberg had his second career four point game on a historical night for Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Redwings. Zetterberg recorded two goals, including the game winner, two assists, and was a +3 in a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Joe Louis Arena. Yzerman notched his 1050^th career assist, moving past Hall of Fame Detroit Redwings legend Gordie Howe for seventh on the NHL all-time assists list. Gordie Howe was in attendance and met Yzerman in the dressing room after the game to congratulate him.

Zetterberg started his night assisting on the first goal of the game at 13:20 of the second period. Pavel Datsyuk put Detroit up 1-0 on a power play goal when Zetterberg found him alone on the far side of the net with a nice cross-crease pass over the stick of Philadelphia defenseman Derian Hatcher.

Henrik then got a second assist on another beautiful Datsyuk goal just 46 seconds into the third period, giving the Redwings a 3-1 lead. The assists were his 25^th and 26^th of the season. But, he wasn’t done yet!

Zetterberg scored his 21^st goal of the year at 8:37 of the third, giving Detroit a 4-2 edge with just half a period to go. Standing alone on the left side of the Flyer’s crease, he took a quick pass from Datsyuk on the far side. Zetterberg’s one-time attempt was kicked away by Philly goaltender Antero Niittymaki but Henrik followed the rebound into the corner. He threw the puck back on goal from along the boards behind the net. The puck hit off of the back-side of Niittymaki and banked into the net. This goal ended up being the game winner as the Flyers pulled within one goal once again, making it 4-3 just two minutes later on a Simon Gagne goal. But Hank helped seal the victory for the Wings with his second goal of the game at 11:09, taking another Pavel Datsyuk pass in front of the Flyer’s crease and this time burying it in the back of the net behind Niittymaki, giving his team another two goal lead. His second goal gives him 22 in 44 games so far this season. He is second on the team with 48 points. Zetterberg has been on a hot streak lately, scoring four goals and three assists in the last three games. He has nine points in the last five games.

Yzerman’s milestone assist came on a 2-on-1 when he passed to wide-open Robert Lang who scored 14:10 into the third, putting the game away for Detroit with a 6-3 score late in the period.

#4 12/7/07 vs Minnesota W5-0 3G (GWG, 2nd Career Hat Trick) + 3  4SOG  21:06  (7*)

“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.

#5 4/16/2010 at Phoenix (Round 1, Game 2) W 7-4   3G (GWG) +2  6 SOG  17:43  (6.5*)

(1^st Career Playoffs Hat-trick including game-winner)

Henrik Zetterberg's hat trick lifts Red Wings over Coyotes, 7-4, in Game 2

By Ansar Khan, Mlive.com, April 17, 2010

Henrik Zetterberg scored his second goal of the game to snap a tie with 6:06 remaining in the third period and finished with his first career postseason hat trick, lifting the Red Wings past the Phoenix Coyotes 7-4 Friday night in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series at Jobing.com Arena.
Zetterberg’s line led the way.

Zetterberg tied the game at 1-1 with a power-play goal at 6:27. He drove the middle of the ice with speed and converted a pass from Filppula.
Zetterberg scored the winning goal by rushing to the net and knocking in the rebound of a shot by Bertuzzi.
“They are good in front of their goalie, taking a lot of ice away, it’s tough to get pucks on the net,’’ Zetterberg said. “Just got to find ways to do it from different angles, and go there for the second chances. It was nice to see the puck bounce off him a few times and go in.’’
Zetterberg completed the hat trick with an empty-net goal with 48 seconds remaining.
“It was a real team effort. Everyone chipped in,’’ Zetterberg said. “We rolled four lines. That’s how you create at lot of  energy at the end of the game.’’
“(Zetterberg) probably got tired of the guy across from him (Shane Doan) competing,” Babcock said. “He’s a proud guy and thinks he’s a good player. If the guy across from you plays harder than you, he’s going to have some success. If Z plays like he can play, he’s going to have success. In the second and third periods I thought he took over.”

#6   3/19/2008 VS Columbus   W 3-1   3G (GWG/3rd Career Hat Trick)  +2   6SOG    22:04    (6.5*)

Z is Back, Breaking Out of Seven Game Goalless Streak with Hat Trick

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, March 19, 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).

#7   5/01/08 AT Colorado (Round 2, Game 4)  W8-2   2G   2A    +3   6SOG    14:18    (6.5*)

Henrik has Career Best Playoff Game as Wings Sweep Avalanche

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, May 1^st, 2008

Henrik Zetterberg had a career best two goals and two assists for four points with a +3 (plus/minus) in his 50^th career post-season game, as the Detroit Red Wings destroyed the Colorado Avalanche 8-2 in route to a four-game second round sweep of their former rivals.

Zetterberg’s first point of the game was an assist on Tomas Holmstrom’s even-strength goal at 18:34 of 1^st period. The two Wings rushed down ice on a 2-on-1 odd-man break. Henrik, on the left wing, passed the puck to Holmstrom who put the it away, giving Detroit a 2-1 lead. 

The first of Zetterberg’s two goals came on the power-play 2:15 into the 2^nd period. From above the right face-off circle, Hank blasted a one-timer past Av’s goalie Peter Budaj, off the goal-post, and into the net, off of a pass from future Hall-of-Fame defenseman Niklas Lidstrom.

Henrik’s second tally came just 2:30 later, and it was a spectacular highlight-reel goal. Speeding into the slot between the face-off circles, Zetterberg took a drop-pass from linemate Pavel Datsyuk and fired it at Budaj while being hit by Colorado defenseman Adam Foote. The net-minder made the initial save, but when Zetterberg was spinning around as he was upended by Foote, the star forward found the rebound with his peripheral vision, and roofed a no-look back-handed shot into the net as he fell to the ice. "I took a shot, I saw the rebound come out, I kind of lost my balance," Zetterberg said. "I turned around and hoped for the best and I had a pretty good whack on it. I didn't see it go in."

That made the game 5-1, Detroit.

Later, still in the second period, Henrik had an opportunity to record his first-ever playoff hat trick as carried the puck into the Av’s zone on yet another 2-on-1, this time with fellow Swede Johan Franzen. Zetterberg took the puck to the net drawing the defender and the goalie, but instead of pulling the trigger, he faked a shot and unselfishly dished the puck to Franzen, who was crashing the net on the open left side. That goal put the Wings up 6-1.

Franzen had his second hat trick in three games and had a NHL record nine total goals in the four-game series.

"I saw the Mule was coming there and he was close to the record, so you want to be part of that," Zetterberg said. "I went with the odds, too, he's pretty hot, so I tried to get the puck to him. It's not often you see a player score like this." 

The four points in tonight’s series clinching victory gave Zetterberg five goals and four assists, totaling nine points in four games this round. He was a +6 in the series sweep.

Henrik now has 22 career playoff goals and 16 assists. His 38 career post-season points moved him into the

#8   2/7/07 VS Phoenix    W4-2   2G(GWG/100th Career Goal)    1A    +3   5SOG    22:40    (6.5*)

Z’s 100^th Career Goal Lifts Wings over Coyotes

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, February 7, 2007

It was a big night for skillful forward Henrik Zetterberg, who scored two go-ahead goals, including his game-winning 100^th career goal, and picked up an assist in the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 win over the Phoenix Coyotes tonight at the Joe Louis Arena. The win was Detroit’s 11^th straight at home and moves them within a point of the division leading Nashville Predators.

Zetterberg’s first goal came on an unbelievable play at 16:27 of the second period when, skating in the Coyote’s zone 1-on-1 against defenseman Derek Morris, Henrik looked like he was going to cut in front of net and then he quickly dipped behind it. Then, he came around from the far-side, displaying tremendous patience, and lifted a beautiful back-hander over top of outstretched former Red Wings goalie Curtis Joseph, giving Detroit a 2-1 lead.

Henrik’s second tally came just 3:22 into the third period when he took a high shot from the top of right face-off circle that deflected off of a Coyote’s forward Fredrik Sjostrom before it ended up in Phoenix’s net. It was the game-winner, putting the Wings up 3-2. He added an assist on Pavel Datsyuk’s empty-netter late in the match.

The goals are Zetterberg’s team-leading 23^rd and 24^th of the season. His second goal was a milestone, the 100^th of his career. Henrik got his 224^th career point on his assist, passing Petr Klima on the Red Wings All-time scoring list, placing him 45^th.

Zetterberg now has six goals against “Cujo” in the past two seasons since Joseph signed with the Coyotes. That’s the most he has scored against any opposing net-minder in his career.

With tonight’s points Henrik is on fire, scoring at least one goal in four straight games and he has twelve points in the past five games.

After the game, Phoenix’s coach, the legendary Wayne Gretzky, had high praise for Zetterberg.

“He doesn't get enough credit for being the elite player that he is. He's definitely in that group of players,” said Gretzky.

#9   (New Years Eve 2003)    VS Atlanta    W6-5    2G(GWG in OT)    1A    +2    4SOG    18:12    (6.5*)

Henrik Zetterberg had two goals and an assist in a 6-5 overtime win over the Atlanta Thrashers tonight at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The Redwings and Thrashers are the top two offences in the National Hockey League. "It was not good that we let them be in the game again," Zetterberg said. "They had some lucky goals, I think. But they're dangerous, too."

Zetterberg scored his fifth Goal of season 5:45 into 3rd period on the Power Play. Pavel Datsyuk, taking on three Atlanta defenders made a great no-look drop pass to Zetterberg who was trailing up center ice. Zetterberg blasted the shot past Thrasher’s goalie Pasi Nurminen. The goal tied the game 4-4. It was Detroit’s first power play goal in five games and broke a Redwings 0 for 25 power play slump.

Less than three minutes later “Zata” assisted on Brendan Shanahan’s go ahead goal, a give-and-go play, making the score 5-4 Redwings.  It was Zetterberg’s 10th assist of the year. He finished game with a +2 and is now a +6 on the season.

Zetterberg’s sixth goal of the season was the game winner 2:24 into overtime. The goal was a one-timer on a nice cross-ice pass from Ray Whitney. Zetterberg lifted his shot high over Nurminen from the left face-off circle. "I saw him (Whitney) with the puck, so I just tried to beat my guy. I think he was tired. It was a great pass and I tried to shoot it as high as possible." Zetterberg said.  Zetterberg was named Player of the Game.

#10 3/22/10 VS Pittsburgh     W 3-1    2G (GWG)  1A  +2    5SOG    23:32     (5.5*)

Two Goals and an Assist Move Zetterberg Past Gallant and Libett on Detroit’s All-time Scoring List.

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, March 22^nd, 2010

Henrik Zetterberg had an assist and scored two big goals, including the game winner, to carry the Detroit Red Wings to a 3-1 win over the defending Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins tonight at the Joe Louis Arena.

The Wing’s opened the scoring with just under a minute remaining in the 1^st period. Zetterberg moved the puck out of Detroit’s end. Todd Bertuzzi moved it along to Valtteri Filppula who made a nice toe-drag and snuck a shot between the legs of defenseman Sergei Gonchar and past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

Zetterberg scored his first goal of the game 7:38 into the 2^nd period, when he took a pass at the left faceoff circle from Captain Nicklas Lidstrom on the point. Henrik then deked past Gonchar and lifted a backhanded shot from the hashmarks. The shot bounced off the back of Bertuzzi who was screening at the crease. Z followed his initial shot and roofed a second backhander into the open net of Fleury’s glove side. The first shot on the eventual game-winning goal was reminiscent of Hank’s overtime winner two nights ago in Vancouver. The Pens scored later to make a one-goal game going into the 3^rd period.

Then, just 1:20 into the 3^rd, Zetterberg received a pass from Filppula at center ice, carried it into the offensive zone, and then flicked a wrister from about 35 feet between Gonchar and Mark Eaton and over Fleury’s right shoulder. The insurance goal was Henrik’s 22^nd of the season.

On his second tally of the game, Zetterberg moved two places up the , passing long-time forwards Gerard Gallant and Nick Libett, with 468 career points (205 goals and 263 assists) in 496 career games for the franchise.

The two goals, the assist, and +2 tonight give Hank 22 goals and 41 assists for a team-leading 63 points and +11 in 64 games this season. He has 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points and +6 in the last 10 games and is now on pace for 26 goals, 46 assists, 73 points and +13 in 73 games this year.

#11    (Henrik's 25th Birthday) 10/09/05   VS Calgary    W6-3    1G(GWG in 2nd)    3A    Even(+/-)  3SOG    17:39    (5*)

Redwings left winger, Henrik Zetterberg had the “game winning goal” and three assists in a big 6-3 victory over the defending Western Conference Champion Calgary Flames today at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The Wing’s were looking to avenge their 2004 playoffs loss to Calgary, who went on to lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Today’s win was sweet because it marked the return of Flame’s right winger Darren McCarty who signed with Calgary after the Redwing’s bought out his contract to make salary cap room this off season. The gritty winger was a fan favorite for eleven seasons in Detroit and still has many friends on the team.

It was on the powerplay where the Redwings did most of their damage against the Flames. They were 5 of 9 with the man advantage.

Henrik's first four point game was also special because it came as a present on his 25th birthday!  

Zetterberg’s scoring started eight minutes into the game when he assisted on Brendan Shanahan’s powerplay goal, making it a 2-0 game. He then scored his own powerplay goal, the game winner, from just inside of the left faceoff circle, beating Flames goalie Mikka Kiprusoff at 12:32 of the second period. That gave Detroit a 4-1 lead.

Kiprusoff was Zetterberg’s teammate on the Timra Red Eagles of the Swedish Elite League during the 2004-2005 NHL lock-out. Kiprusoff gave up five goals in the loss, and was pulled in the third period.

Hank got his second assist working hard in the corner behind Calgary’s net at even strength. He was battling defenseman Andrew Ference and came out with the puck then fed it to Lang in the slot, who lifted it over Kiprusoff. Lang’s even strength goal made it 5-2 with 36 seconds remaining in the second.

The Redwings put the game away with their sixth goal, on the powerplay, when Zetterberg assisted (his third) on a goal by Datsyuk 8:55 into the third period by forwarding a pass from center ice to the speeding Russian up at the blue line. Datsyuk deked past one defender and buried the shot. 

Zetterberg’s four point game is the first of his career, and it ranks second amongst Top Ten Games. Henrik teamed up with center Robert Lang and right winger Tomas Holmstrom for most of the game. The line was productive but finished even on plus/minus. Zetterberg had been on a line with center Pavel Datsyuk and Holmstrom until today’s match.

Henrik had three shots on goal in 17:39 on the ice. He now has 1 goal and 5 assists in 3 games to open this season. Detroit has a 3-0 record.

#12   2/11/07 VS Calgary    W7-4    2G   2A    +3    4SOG    18:20   (5*)

Henrik Burns the Flames

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, February 11, 2007

If the Red Wings hadn’t gotten a five point lead going into the third period, Henrik Zetterberg may have had a chance for his first career hat trick in tonight’s game against the Calgary Flames at Joe Louis Arena. However, Detroit’s head coach Mike Babcock chose to play their top line of Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom, and Zetterberg just three minutes in the last period, to avoid giving the impression that he was “showing up” the opponent by adding to the 6-1 score. The line had already accounted for four of the Red Wings goals, led by Zetterberg’s two goals and two assists.

Henrik scored the opening goal of the game at 8:43 in the first period, his team leading 25th of the season, when Flames goalie Mikka Kiprusoff misplayed a dump-around behind his net, which was picked up by Wings forward Jason Williams, and sent to Zetterberg streaking into the slot. He fired the puck past Kiprusoff, stick-side just inside the far post, as the goal-tender scrambled to get back in the crease. Zetterberg assisted on linemate Datsyuk’s goal just four minutes later, giving Detroit a 2-0 lead.

Henrik’s 2nd goal of the game, came 3:16 into the second period and made it a 4-0 game. Again rushing into the slot, Zetterberg slapped in a rebound of Mathieu Schneider’s close range shot off the pads of Calgary’s back-up net-minder Jamie McLennan.

Later Zetterberg helped screen McLennan and picked up an assist when Holmstrom tipped in Niklas Lidstrom’s slap-shot from the blue line. The tally made it 6-1 Detroit with over nine minutes remaining in the middle period. The line’s playing time was limited after that, giving the other three lines more playing time. With Detroit’s best unit on the bench, the Flames scored three straight goals in the third. The Wings gave rookie goalie Joey McDonald his first NHL win in six tries, by a score of 7-4.

Henrik has 16 points and is a +8 (plus/minus) in the past seven games. He is fifth in the NHL in plus/minus and with 26 goals and 30 assists has to be strongly considered as a top contender for the Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) at his point.

#13   4/21/07 VS Calgary (Game 5, Round 1)   W5-1  2G (GWG)   1A    Even(+/-)   5SOG   19:34    (5*)

Henrik Leads Wings to a Game 5 Win over Flames

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, April 21, 2007

Henrik Zetterberg had two goals, including the game-winner, and and assist in the Detroit Red Wings huge 5-1 win against the Calgary Flames today at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, giving the Wings a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Zetterberg had been held without a point for the first four games of the series, and had begun to receive criticism from the media, despite having missed the last 19 games of the regular season with an inflamed disc in his lower back. Many were speculating that his timing was off after missing so many games, but he proved he has got it back today.

"The legs have been there all along. I don't think the timing was,” said Zetterberg.

It looked like it was when he scored his first goal on the power-play at 8:50 of the second period. Red Wings Captain Niklas Lidstrom passed the puck from the blue line on the left point to Zetterberg who was alone at the top of the right face-off circle. Henrik fired a one timer low on net, that went untouched as it went between the legs of both line-mate Tomas Holmstrom and Flames goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff, giving Detroit a 2-0 lead. It ended up being Zetterberg’s first career playoff game-winner.

Henrik’s second goal of the game came 5:12 into the third period, also on the power-play. Pavel Datsyuk slipped a quick pass to Zetterberg cruising into the slot. He took the pass on his backhand and then wristed a snapshot past the glove of the Calgary goaltender. The goal made it a four-goal deficit and put the game out of reach for the Flames.

Hank’s assist came late in the third period, after Calgary made it a 4-1 game, on a power-play goal by Datsyuk. After carrying the puck into the offensive zone, Zetterberg sent a drop pass back to Lidstrom on the blue line, who fired a slap-shot off the end boards directly to Datsyuk waiting at the crease. He stuffed the puck into the net behind the sprawled Kiprusoff.

Today’s game was the first three-point playoff game in Zetterberg’s career. He now has 11 goals and 3 assists for 14 points in 27 playoff games.

#14 3/29/09 at Atlanta   W 6-3  4A (Asst on GWG) +3  4 SOG  16:54  (5*)

Zetterberg Records Career High 4 Assists in Win over Atlanta, Passes Larionov on Wings All-time Scoring List

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, March 20^th, 2009

It’s been a long time since Henrik Zetterberg had a big night. Tonight, he what could be considered a breakout game for this season, with a career-high four assists and a (plus/minus) +3, in the Detroit Red Wings 6-3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers.

Head Coach Mike Babcock agreed that it was a huge game, having this to say, "I was really happy for Z tonight. Don't get me wrong, I think he had six in the last five games. But he hadn't had a real big night here, and it's good for him. I think that's important for him. It's so important that your best players are feeling good about themselves."

Zetterberg’s first assist of the evening came on defenseman Brian Rafalski’s even strength goal 13:40 into the first period. From behind Atlanta’s net, Zetterberg centered a pass to Johan Franzen in the slot. Franzen dropped the pass back to Rafalski who fired it past Thrashers netminder Kari Lehtonen.

Henrik’s second assist came on Detroit’s fourth goal of the game on the power-play at 7:55 of the third. Zetterberg carried the puck on the right wing and sent a pass across the slot to Niklas Lidstrom who stopped and fired a shot on net. Franzen moved to the front of the crease, and pushed the loose puck over the goal-line. The goal by Franzen made it 4-0 but ended up being the eventual game-winner. The assist on the play was Zetterberg’s 397^th career-point tying him with Hall-of-famer Igor Larionov for 19^th place on the Red Wing’s All-time scoring leaders list.

Zetterberg would surpass Larionov on that list with his third assist of the game just a few minutes later. Hank brought the puck past the blue line and left it for trailing line-mate Marian Hossa, who picked it up a wristed a quick shot by Lehtonen, making it a 5-1 game.

With just 3:39 left in the game, Zetterberg recorded his career-best fourth assist in one game when he moved towards the crease with the puck then made a smart play, dishing it to Dan Cleary, who was alone between the face-off circles. Cleary blasted it into the net, giving Detroit a 6-2 lead.

With the four points tonight, Henrik has 10 points (4 goals and six assists) in a seven games points scoring streak. He now has 29 goals and 38 assists for 67 total points in 67 games played this season. Zetterberg is on pace for 33 goals and 44 assists this year.

His next goal will give Zetterberg at least 30 goals in the past four seasons. His next point will be his 400^th career point.

#15 2/20/04    VS St. Louis    W5-1    2G(GWG)    1A    +1    3SOG    14:50   (5*)

It was another multipoint game against the St. Louis Blues for Henrik Zetterberg.  Tonight, at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, he scored two goals and added an assist in a 5-1 victory over the division rivals.

Zetterberg was due to bust out and the Blues were a prime candidate to be victimized by the young star forward.

He has now scored six goals and three assists in seven career games against St. Louis.

His first goal tonight came on a power play for Detroit that carried over from the first period. 38 seconds into the scond period the Redwings controlled the puck in St. Louis’ zone. Pavel Datsyuk passed the puck from the top of the right face-off circle across ice to Ray Whitney at the left circle, who took a shot on goal that was slightly deflected by Brett Hull cruising in front of the crease. Zetterberg coasted out from behind the goal line to the left of Blue’s goalie Reinhard Divis. The redircted shot fell to Henrik’s feet and he knocked it in the open net giving Detroit a two to nothing lead.

His second goal of the game also came in the second period and was very much like the first. Zetterberg was hanging out on the right Wing side of Divis’ net as Wing’s defenseman Mathieu Schneider fired a pass down low to Ray Whitney near the left side of the crease. Whitney quickly put a shot on goal that deflected off of Divis’ pads and out to Zetterberg who had slid out in front of the goalie. Zata took a cross check to the back as he tucked the puck low glove side into the net once again for another power play goal.

``It was two easy tap-ins. Two great plays by Whitney. On the second one, I just had my weight on my sick and it hit it and went in. On the first one Hullie hit it and it dropped right down to me. Once in a while you've got to have the luck." said Zetterberg.

The goals were Zetterberg’s 10th and 11th this season, five of which are on the powerplay. His last four goals have been power-play goals. His last nine of his eleven total goals this year are at home.  He now has 31 points in just 40 games this season, with 12 points in his last nine games. He credits being on a line with Brendan Shanahan and Tomas Holmstrom for his recent success.

Zetterberg later assisted on Darren McCarty’s goal 6:26 into the third period giving the Wings a commanding 4-1 lead. He was a +1 in the game and won seven of ten faceoffs, easily making him the first star of the contest.

#16   2/14/07 (Valentines Day) at Dallas   W3-1  1G (GWG)   2A    +3     4SOG     20:58     (5*)

Another Three Point Game for Zetterberg

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, February 14, 2007

Henrik Zetterberg had his NHL best seventh game with three or more points tonight on the road against the Dallas Stars and now has twenty points (eight goals and twelve assists) in his last nine games. The Detroit Red Wings, led by the talented Swedish forward, came back from a one-goal deficit in the second half of the third period to defeat the Stars 3-1.

Detroit tied the game at 11:14 of the third when Zetterberg set up Pavel Datsyuk for his 18^th goal of the season with what was quite possibly Henrik’s most brilliant pass ever. Skating along the end boards behind Dallas’ goal, Zetterberg passed the puck between his own legs and between the legs of Star’s defenseman Darryl Sydor to Datsyuk streaking in towards the right side of the crease. Pavel knocked the puck in behind Dallas’ rookie goaltender Mike Smith, as he went to his far post to defend Zetterberg coming around the net. 

Then, with just 4:36 left in the game, Henrik scored his eigth game-winning goal of the season, taking a centering pass from countryman Niklas Kronwall, faking a slapshot which drew two defenders to the ice to attempt a block, and firing a wrister from between the face-off circles and past Smith. The goal was his team-leading 27^th of the season.

Zetterberg added a second assist when defenseman Mathieu Schneider scored an empty-netter with 33 seconds remaining, clinching the come-from-behind victory for the Wings. 

With his recent hot streak, Zetterberg has gotten back on his point-per-game pace, and at the current rate could match or surpass his career season highs in goals (39), assists (46), points (85), and plus/minus (+29) all from last season.

In tonight’s match, Henrik notched his 230^th, 231^st, and 232^nd career points, passing Martin Lapointe and Keith Primeau on .

#17  12/27/05  at Dallas    W4-1  1G (GWG)   2A    +3     3SOG     17:26     (5*)

Swedish forward Henrik Zetterberg helped guide the Detroit Redwings to their fourth straight win in a 4-1 victory in Dallas tonight against the Stars. The Stars are one of the top teams in the Western Conference, but have struggled against Detroit in the past few years.

Zetterberg scored the game-winning goal, added assists on two goals by fellow Swedes, and was a +3 in tonight’s win. He assisted on Mikael Samuelsson’s opening goal in the first period when picked up the puck along the right boards and sent cross-ice pass from outside the right face off circle to Samuelsson streaking in on goal. Samuelsson one-timed the pass into the Star’s net.

At 4:14 of the second period, Zetterberg added a goal of his own, the game-winner, giving the Redwing’s a 2-1 lead. The puck came to Zetterberg cutting into the slot and back-handing a centered puck past Dallas goalie Marty Turco. Jason Williams got the assist.

Detroit would go on to win with Henrik tallying a second assist on Tomas Holmstrom’s third period goal, making it a two goal lead.

Zetterberg was named the first star of the game. Zetterberg, Samuelsson, and Holmstrom will all play in the 2006 Winter Olympics for Sweden.

#18  03/20/10 at Vancouver   W4-3 OT  1G (GWG in OT)   1A (on SH)    +3     9SOG     23:14     (5*)

Zetterberg Scores Buzzer-beater in Overtime

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, March 20^th, 2010

You just knew it was going to be Henrik Zetterberg’s night tonight in Vancouver after a poor performance in yesterday’s 3-2 shootout loss in Edmonton, in which Z’s line gave up two goals in the first five minutes of the game.

You could tell it was going to be different for Zetterberg tonight. His line, with wingers Valtteri Filppula and Todd Bertuzzi, came out flying. All three scored huge goals in the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 overtime win tonight in Vancouver. 

The Canucks got out to a 2-0 lead after one period. The ZBF line put on the pressure and got the Wings on the scoreboard when Bertuzzi scored his first goal in twenty games 12:34 into the second period.

Later, with the score tied at two-a-piece and just under three minutes remaining in the second period, Nicklas Lidstrom was called for a holding penalty putting Vancouver on the power-play. Killing the penalty, Zetterberg won a battle with Ryan Kesler along Detroit’s endboards in the right corner. Wing’s defenseman Niklas Kronwall took the puck and was able to send a clearing pass up ice to Filppula, who scored on a breakaway to give Detroit a 3-2 lead. Z’s helper on the short-handed goal was his 40^th assist of the season.

With the assist (262^nd of his career), Henrik passed legendary Hall-of-Famer Sid Abel on the Detroit Red Wings All-time scoring leaders list with 464 points in 495 career games.

The Red wings were able to hold on and force overtime after Daniel Sedin scored a third period goal for the Canucks to tie the game at 3-3.

With only three seconds remaining in overtime, Filppula cycled the puck back to Zetterberg along the left boards and into the corner of the offensive zone. Vancouver defenseman Christian Ehrhoff had lost his stick checking Zetterberg behind the net. Z powered around Ehrhoff in the left faceoff circle and lifted a backhanded shot high on the glove side of Canuck’s goaltender Roberto Luongo, who was screened by defenseman Kevin Bieksa. The shot hit the roof of the net to beat the buzzer with just .3 of a second left on the clock to give the Red Wings the much-needed victory.

The winning shot was Hank’s 9^th shot of the game in 23:14 minutes played. He was a +3.

The game-winning goal was Zetterberg’s 20^th tally of the season. Henrik now has 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points in 63 games played this season. He has 4 goals and 8 assists in the last 9 games and is now on pace for 24 goals, 46 assists, and 70 points in 73 games this year.

#19 4/20/10 vs Phoenix (Game 4, Round 1)  W 3-0   2G (GWG)  +1   4 SOG   19:15   (5*)

#20 6/4/08 at Pittsburgh (Stanley Cup Finals Game 6)  W3-2  1G (GWG)  1A  +1   6SOG   23:30   (4.5*)

The Stanley Cup is returning to “Hockeytown!”
Henrik Zetterberg was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the postseason and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom became the first European captain to lift the Stanley Cup aloft.

The Wings stunned the big crowd into silence at 7:36 of the third period when Zetterberg scored to make it 3-1. Gaining the Pittsburgh zone, Zetterberg took a wrist shot from the left circle with Sergei Gonchar on him. The puck got through and Marc-Andre Fleury dropped to his knees, apparently stopping the puck to the point where some of the Pens held up, expecting a faceoff.
But the puck had trickled through Fleury and was rolling toward the net. Fleury realized the puck was free and dropped to the ice, inadvertently sending the puck across the goal line. Referee Marc Joannette was right behind the net on the play and immediately signaled the goal that made it 3-1 for Detroit.
“Someone said to me here earlier, you turned your best offensive players into checkers,” Babcock said of the strong two-way play of Zetterberg and Datsyuk. “I never did that. They're just very good both ways, and deliver offensively. And that's the philosophy I have, anyway. I believe if the people that are playing against the best people can score, they gotta worry about them.
“If you've got guys who don't score playing against those people, they can just let it go on offense all the time. ‘Z’ and Pavel are two of the best players in the world. And when you put Rafalski and Nick on the ice with them, I mean, that's a pretty special group. And Crosby and Hossa gave us all we could handle, and yet it was great to see us, obviously, get this done.”
Rafalski got the Red Wings on the scoreboard early, netting a power-play goal at 5:03 of the first period after Pittsburgh defenseman Darryl Sydor had been boxed for interference on Kirk Maltby at 4:17.
The Penguins’ inability to clear the puck cost them dearly on this goal, as Pittsburgh had a couple opportunities to get the puck out of their end, but failed each time. Rafalski moved into the left faceoff circle and then sent a rising shot on the Penguins’ net that deflected home off the right leg of Pittsburgh defenseman Hal Gill.
Zetterberg got the primary assist, making the goal happen with a sharp pass from the right circle to Rafalski. Datsyuk also got an assist, but Tomas Holmstrom was equally deserving, having done good work keeping the puck alive in the Pittsburgh zone.

Other Notable Games

Zetterberg and Datsyuk Lift the Wings Again

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, April 6^th, 2007

After getting a a game-tying goal with just over thirty seconds left, and tying the series in overtime of game four in San Jose on Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings spotted the Sharks a one goal lead, but came up huge once more, coming from behind and defeating San Jose by a score of 4-1 last night at the Joe Louis Arena, and taking a 3-2 series lead.

When it looked like they weren’t playing their best hockey the Red Wings got another big game from their most talented players, Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk, who each had a goal and two assists. 

Having linemate Tomas Holmstrom back from an eye injury has helped the dynamic duo of Zetterberg and Datsyuk create a lot more offence against San Jose’s top line. It payed off 3:10 into the second period. Holmstrom patiently handled the puck in front of Shark’s goalie Evgeni Nabokov and attempted a reaching shot that came off the end of his stick balde and ended up being a perfect pass to Zetterberg, who was standing alone at the back door of Nabokov’s crease. Henrik lifted an easy forehand shot high into the back of the net to tie the game at one a piece.

Then with just 1:24 left in the second period, Datsuk raced into the San Jose zone chasing a loose puck towards the Shark’s net as Nabokov skated out towards him. The netminder won the race to the puck but hit Pavel’s stick with the puck as he attempted to clear it. Datsyuk took the blocked puck, skated around the stunned goalie, and scored the go-ahead tally into a wide-open net.

The contest was far from over, but San Jose began to play desperately and with more of a physical edge. They were trying to “send a message” by attempting to intimidate some of Detroit’s talented players with a little “goonery”. When Sharks defenseman Craig Rivet wrestled Zetterberg to the ice and was lying on top of him with his elbow in Zetterberg’s face, fellow Swede and linemate Tomas Holmstrom came to his aide. Homer coming to the defense of Hank was a symbol of the unity of the Wings top line and of the team over all. They are showing that they are not going to take getting pushed around.

In the third period the Sharks began to take more penalties, and the Wings took over the game. 3:46 into the period with the Wings on the power-play, Zetterberg controlled the puck behind the San Jose net and watched the play develop. Zata fed a quick pass to winger Mikael Samuelsson in the center of the right face-off circle. Samuelsson blasted a one-timer past Nabokov giving Detroit a two goal advantage.

Just a few minutes later, Sharks winger Mike Grier crashed the net and made contact with Red Wings goalie Dominik Hasek. The Wings defended their goaltender and Zetterberg went after Marcel Goc, showing that he isn’t going to back down when challenged. On the ensuing power-play for goaltender interference on Grier, Zetterberg once again observes the action and slipped a pass from behind the net, through the crease and past three San Jose defenders to Holmstrom, alone in the slot. Homer knocked it into the net to make it 4-1 Detroit. The assist was Zetterberg’s second of the game, both on power-play goals.

Yesterday’s win was Henrik’s first career playoff game with two assists and second career playoff game with three points. The other was in game five of round one against Calgary. Zetterberg has four goals and four assists and is a +2 in eleven games this post-season. All eight of his points are in victories at home. He now has thirteen goals, six assists, and is a -4 (plus/minus) in 33 career playoff games.

2/01/2008 VS COLORADO  W2-0  1G (GWG)   +2     4SOG   22:06   (4.5*)

Henrik Scores Game-Winning 30^th Goal of the Season, Passing Two Career Milestones

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, February 1, 2008

Henrik Zetterberg scored the game-winning goal and passed two career milestones in tonight’s 2-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche at the Joe Louis Arena. Despite a large advantage in shots against the Avalanche, the Red Wings had a hard time solving goaltender Peter Budaj. But, with just 2:20 remaining in a scoreless match, Zetterberg circled behind Budaj’s net and attempted a wrap-around. Colorado defenseman Jordan Leopold managed to get a stick on the puck but defelected it over his netminder, giving Detroit the late lead. The goal was Henrik’s 30^th goal and 4^th game-winning goal of the season. He now has at least 30 goals in each of the last three seasons. Also on the play, Zetterberg reached +100 (plus/minus) for his career.

The point tonight was Hank’s 303^rd career point (139 goals, 164 assists). He passes Red Wings great, defenseman Gary Bergman for 28^th on the Red Wings All-time scoring leaders list. 

Also in this evening’s game, Zetterberg fired his 1000^th career shot-on-goal. He has a 13.8 scoring percentage.

Henrik is tied with linemate Pavel Datysuk for 6^th place amongst the NHL’s leading scorers with 63 points each. However, Datsyuk has played seven more games.

Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals leads the league with 70 points.

2/25/06 VS Finland  (2006 Winter Olympics Gold Medal Game)  W3-2   1G   1A   3SOG   (4*)

GOLDEN! Add another award to the growing list for Detroit Redwing’s Swedish star forward. Henrik Zetterberg and his Swedish National team are Olympic Gold medalists!

“Tre Kroner” (Three Crowns) beat their arch-rivals, neighboring Finland, 3-2 in yesterdays Gold Medal game to win their first Olympic medal since defeating Canada in 1994.

Zetterberg played a large part in the huge victory for Sweden, scoring their tying power-play goal, 4:42 into the second period, making it 1-1. The goal was assisted by fellow Redwing Mikael Samuelsson. Later in the period, Zetterberg assisted on Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall’s go ahead goal. Redwing’s future Hall-of-Fame defenseman Niklas Lidstrom scored the Gold Medal winning goal just ten seconds into the third period, after Finland had tied the game 2-2 after the second. The game winner was assisted by superstars Mats Sundin of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Peter Forsberg of the Philadelphia Flyers. Ottawa Senators Captain Daniel Alfredsson led Sweden scoring in this tournament with five goals and ten points in eight games. Forsberg had six assists in just six games. New York Rangers rookie goaltender Henrik Lundqvist guided the Swedes with an impressive five wins and one-loss in six games with a 2.33 goals against average and .907 save percentage.

Zetterberg also had an assist in Sweden’s 7-3 win over the Czech Republic in the Semi-final round on Friday. He finished the 2006 Olympic Games with three goals, three assists, and a (plus/minus) +3 in eight games.

Henrik now has three goals and four assists, seven points, and is a +5 in twelve Olympic games, including the 2002 games, when he had not yet played in the NHL. He has 22 goals, 35 assists, 57 points, and is +15 in 87 career games with Swedish National teams dating back to 1997 under 18 World Championships.

1/2/07 (Yzerman Jersey Retirement Night)  VS Anaheim W2-1  1G(GWG)  +1  4SOG  19:23  (4*)

Zetterberg Extends Point Streak to Seven Games, Gets Game-winner on Steve Yzerman’s Big Night

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, January 2, 2007

On the night Steve Yzerman’s #19 was lifted to the rafters in a pre-game ceremony at Joe Louis Arena, Henrik Zetterberg payed tribute to “the Captain” by scoring the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, currently the NHL’s best team.

The game-winner came at 16:51 of the second period, when linemate Tomas Holmstrom drew two Anaheim defensemen to the corner and made a fantastic spinning back-handed pass to Henrik, who was all alone in front of the crease. All he had to do was put his stick on the ice and knock the puck low past Duck’s goalie Ilya Bryzgalov.

The point in tonight’s match gives Zetterberg at least one point in each of his last seven games, tying his career-high points streak from Nov 17^th- December 1^st 2005.

2/27/03    VS Toronto    W7-2    2G    +3    5SOG     12:18   (4*)

Detroit Redwings rookie Henrik Zetterberg had the first two-goal game in his career against the Toronto maple Leafs, with some momentous assists from a couple future Hall of Famers.

Zetterberg’s first goal came 15:17 into the first period, giving the Redwings a 1-0 lead. Brett Hull worked the puck down low to the left of Toronto’s goal crease, then centered a pretty backhand pass to an open Zetterberg, who had streaked past a Leaf’s defenseman. Zetterberg took the puck on his forehand, and mini-deked goalie Ed Belfour into sprawling onto his back. He waited patiently until Belfour was flailing and the roofed the puck into the top of the net, scoring his 13^th goal of the season. Hull’s assist on the play was his 1,300^th point in his career. Only 22 other players in NHL history have reached that mark.

Zetterberg’s second goal of the game occurred in the second period as Redwing’s captain Steve Yzerman stole the puck from a Toronto defenseman and he and Zetterberg converged on Belfour together. Yzerman then fed a cross-crease pass that Zetterberg tipped in on the right side of the net. The assist was Steve Yzerman’s first point of the season, after an unprecedented return from an off-season osteotomy surgery.

Zetterberg’s 14^th goal of the season broke the game open, giving Detroit a 4-2 lead. The Redwings went on to win 7-2.  His 14^th goal is also the most by a Redwing’s rookie since Sergei Fedorov scored 31 goals in 1990-91. The rookie was a +3 in the game and is a +5 in his last five games. He is now even for +/- on the year.

 12/12/06 VS Columbus    W7-4    1G    1A    +4    5SOG    21:47    (4*)

Henrik Zetterberg had a career high +4 (plus/minus) while scoring a goal and an assist on the road tonight, in the Detroit Red Wings 7-4 come-from-behind victory in a see-saw battle with thier divisional rivals, the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Zetterberg was on the ice for four of Detroit’s even strength goals, having a hand in two of them. He scored a goal in his second straight game, and his third in the past four games, at 8:45 of the second period. Tonights goal came after defenseman Brett Lebda faked a slap-shot and then sent a pass to the open Zetterberg, down low. Henrik lifted a snap-shot over Columbus goaltender Fredrik Norrena. The tally gave the Wings a 3-0 lead. But, the Blue Jackets came back, scoring the next four goals, taking a third period, one-goal lead on a power-play notch by defenseman Adam Foote, after Zetterberg took an interference penalty 3:45 into the period. The usually gentlemanly Swede now has a career-high 34 PIM in less than half a season.

Detroit made a late come back, with Zetterberg assisting on one of Pavel Datsyuk’s third-period goals. He was also on the ice as Danny Markov scored an empty-netter with just 1:23 left in the match, giving him his first ever +4 game, making this one of Zetterberg’s top ten career games. The two points tonight also ties Henrik with Kelly Kisio for 58^th on the with 197 career points for the franchise. He is only two points shy of Adam Oates, and only three points short of the 200 career points milestone.

01/01/09 VS Chicago ( Winter Classic at Wrigley Field)   W6-4    0G    3A    +2    3SOG    19:50    (4*)

Milestone Game for Henrik Zetterberg

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, January 1, 2009

It was a once in a lifetime game for most of the members of the Detroit Red Wings and their division rival Chicago Blackhawks. It was an opportunity to return to the days of their youth, to return to hockey’s roots, and Swedish native Henrik Zetterberg and his teammates rose to the occasion, coming back from a 3-1 deficit with 5 unanswered goals to defeat the Hawks outdoors at historic Wrigley Field in Chicago in a game to remember.

Not only will it be remembered as the third Winter Classic and a unique event for its participants, but for Zetterberg fans, and perhaps Henrik himself, it will be remembered as a game where Hank turned it up a notch, matching a career-high three assists in one game, and reaching his milestone 200^th career helper with the third one. Not only that, but with his 200^th career assist, Zetterberg reached 20^th on Detroit’s All-time Scoring Leaders list, tying Hall-of-Famer Marcel Dionne with 366 career points with the franchise. Zetterberg also has 166 goals in 390 career games with the Red Wings.

Henrik’s first assist of today’s game, his 17^th of the season, came on the power-play at 9:50 of the first period with Chicago leading 1-0. Zetterberg carried the puck behind the Blackhawk’s net then sent a centering pass to fellow Swede Mikael Samuelsson in the slot. Samuelsson took one quick shot the knocked his own rebound in to tie the game at one.

After the Hawks jumped out to a 3-1 lead, Hank helped lead the Wings comeback when he got another helper on a goal by line-mate Jiri Hudler, just 1:14 into the second period. Z fought his way through two Chicago defenders at the blue-line to force the puck down into the corner. He then gained control of the loose puck, and sent a crisp pass into the crease that deflected out between the face-off circles to Marion Hossa. Hossa fired a shot that was blocked, but Hudler crashed the crease and whacked a bouncing puck into the open net.

Henrik’s 20^th assist of the season, and 200^th of his career, came at 3:24 into the third period with Detroit leading 5-3. Once again, working behind the Blackhawk’s net, Zetterberg sent a back-handed centering feed to the slot which was picked up by Red Wings defenseman Brett Lebda (a Chicago native) who lifted a shot off of a Hawks defenseman and under the crossbar. The goal was immediately waved off but was awarded to the Wings after a lengthy review, giving them a decisive 6-3 lead.

With his three assists tonight, Zetterberg is tied for third on the team with Marion Hossa who also recorded his 20^th of the campaign today. Z is also third on the team with total points with 34 points in 35 games played.

 5/31/08 at Pittsburgh (Stanley Cup Finals Game 4)   W 2-1   0G   0A   +1    2SOG    23:12    (3*)

Selke and Conn Smythe Trophy Candidate Zetterberg Shuts-down Penguins Superstars

during Crucial Moment in Game 4 of Stanley Cup Finals

By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, June 1st, 2008

The Detroit Red Wings won a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on the road last night at the Mellon Arena to take a 3-games-to-1 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Finals series.

And while Henrik Zetterberg did not record any points for the second straight game away from home, he was undeniably critical to the team’s success, no more so than while playing shorthanded against a Penguin’s a 5-on-3 power play for 1:27, with a one-goal lead halfway through the third period.

During that long two-man advantage for Pittsburgh, Zetterberg showed why he is a Selke Trophy candidate as one of the very best defensive forwards in the NHL. He applied tremendous pressure keeping the puck out of the slot and blocked a shot by Penguin’s star defenseman Sergei Gonchar from the point. A few seconds later he tied up superstar Sidney Crosby near the crease as a pass came through the paint in front of Detroit’s goalie Chris Osgood. Using shear strength Henrik pinned Crosby’s stick and forced him down on the ice at the side of the net, not allowing him to get position in front. Next, while still two men down, he took a face-off against Crosby, deflected a pass by Evgeni Malkin, picked up the puck and carried it into Pittsburgh’s zone, and created a scoring opportunity with a backhanded shot off of a spin-move he put on Gonchar. Zetterberg finished the shift by racing back down the ice with the Penguin’s attackers and tipping Crosby’s pass intended for Gonchar, who was wide-open in the left face-off circle, into the corner. He knocked Sidney to the ice one more time before lying down in front of another shot to end the power-play. I have never seen a better shift by a player in my life. Of course, both Zetterberg and Crosby downplayed the Swede’s dominance on the shift.

“We played good and tried to keep them to the outside and tried to be in the shooting lanes,” said Zetterberg.

Crosby said, “He made a good play on me and got my stick. He just did a good job of trying to get a stick in the lane. I don’t think he did anything out of the ordinary besides any other guy would do on a 5-on-3.”

However, Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock had hefty praise for his primary penalty-killing forward. “I thought Zetterberg was fantastic. (Zetterberg and Datsyuk) are just gifted players and when they compete as hard as they did tonight they win a lot of battles. I’ve been telling people for three years how good Zetterberg is. So, this isn’t a surprise to me. He’s conscientious and a great two-way player,” said Babcock. 

Zetterberg is one point behind Crosby’s 24 points to lead all players in the Stanley Cup playoffs and

both are considered strong candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy (awarded to the MVP of the payoffs). Henrik has 12 goals and 11 assists and has a league-leading +16 (plus/minus) in 20 games played this post-season. “Sid the Kid” has just 6 goals but has 18 assists. But, Crosby is only a +6 in 18 games played.

Tonight was Zetterberg’s 60^th career playoff game in five post-seasons with Detroit. He currently has 27 goals and 21 assists for 48 career points. Hank ranks 15^th on the Red Wing’s All-time Playoff Scoring Leaders list, and is just two points behind Hall-of-Fame defenseman Paul Coffey and only three points behind line mate Pavel Datsyuk in 20 less career playoff games.