Mr. Abdelkader Goes To Phoenix, Mr. Zetterberg Goes To Arby's

By Adam W Parks

Mike Babcock is a hockey genius, but I think every fan in Hockeytown knew how much the Wings need Justin Abdelkader in the lineup to add energy and physicality for the playoffs.

Now I'm not saying that Abby is the sole reason why Detroit flipped the physical play on Phoenix (Wings-38/Coyotes 31 in Game 2 compared to Wings-20/Coyotes 43 in Game 1), but he did register five hits in just 8:27.

WHAT CAN YOU DO IN 8 AND 1/2 MINUTES?

Not only did Abdelkader tie for second most hits for Detroit (Brad Stuart-7) with the second least amount of ice time, but he also had two shots on goal, earned a plus-one rating, and had one tremendous takeaway that led to an even more tremendous goal:



“We worked them down low, I came off the bench late, the third guy, they passed up to Wolski," Abdelkader said. “I just came behind him and took the puck away and saw I had a lot of open ice, was able to make a move and get a shot."

The goal gave the Wings their first lead of the game and was a spark that his team desperately needed.

WINGS' PHYSICAL PLAY LEADS TO A SHOWCASE OF SKILLS

By throwing the bodies back at the Coyotes, Detroit was finally able to open up some ice for their snipers, and guess which one tied Abdelkader in hits? #40, Henrik Zetterberg, racked up two more hits than the three goals he scored.

Who's got my curly fries? Z picked up his (and Detroit's) second hat trick of the season and showed the grit and attitude that a team leader needs to demonstrate in the postseason, and everyone else seemed to follow suit.

Hank, Pavel Datsyuk, and Valtteri Filppula all got lost in Game 1, but in Game 2 the trio combined for six goals on 18 shots on goal (six apiece). Zetterberg shot with 50% accuracy and posted a plus-two rating. Filpps scored twice, added an assist, and was also a plus-two. With an Adrian Aucoin blanket draped around him, Datsyuk took a cross ice pass from Johan Franzen and placed a perfect shot just under the cross bar.



Todd Bertuzzi had two assists: one on Filppula's first and the other on Zetterberg's game-winning second goal. That line collaborated for eight points on the night.

“We just knew our line had to step up and put the puck in the net," Bertuzzi said. “We had tons of opportunities to score, it was just a matter of time. Henrik played terrific. Fil did a really good job shooting."

The Wings figured out what they had to do last night. If they can continue to keep Shane Doan, Martin Hanzal (It's that damn Hanzal! He's so hot right now!) and the rest of the Coyotes from owning the boards and controlling the tempo of the game, Ilya Bryzgalov won't stand a chance against all their fire power.

Peace