Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg missed the scan of the first round of the Red Wings. "It is difficult," he said. "You want to be out there in the playoffs."
By Julian H. Gonzalez, Detroit Free PressDetroit's Henrik Zetterberg missed the scan of the first round of the Red Wings. "It is difficult," he said. "You want to be out there in the playoffs."
Has been a trying and exhausting three weeks for it, but as the wings ready for 2nd round of the playoffs, Zetterberg — Stanley Cup MVP 2008 run — is prepared to join them after losing the first round with a left knee sprain. "It's great, because it puts one more person on the ice than the other team must be aware of," goaltender Jimmy Howard said. "Z, he has a knack for being big in the playoffs, and we welcome him back with open arms. He is big on power lines above the other team and he finds a way to generate points, also at the same time as playing great defense ".Return of Zetterberg gives wings more options, as they can play it with Pavel Datsyuk each superstar Center or have its own line.Although Zetterberg hasn't played since April 6, he is probably not need much time to get readjusted as your skill level. It will use a key of protection, but at least he has to put it on now only when he is on the ice.Soon after the injury, he had to eat, sleep and shop with him in "I don't have to use it more all the time," he said, "so I don't ride in grocery stores anymore, so it is good."Datsyuk sees a shift in Zetterberg, a is not whether he is interested in ".Don't know if he completely back, because he too shot, "Datsyuk said, smiling."I don't know why. Usually he doesn't much shot. Now he shoots too. "This is a bit more like Zetterberg accusing Datsyuk make too many breathtaking passes, because of the many things that makes Zetterberg, shooting very definitely is one of them. He amassed 306 shots on net in 80 games this season and had at least one shot in almost all games.The wings have done very well in their first round series against the Phoenix Coyotes without Zetterberg, but as they embark in Round 2, they are much better because he will be back. "It is just a very good player high-end gives more depth, "said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. "How it goes, you need more depth to win. The teams that advance, they moved forward for a reason. They are good teams that have good depth. "Z is a high-end player with great plays are at playoff time. It marks the time of the heat better than he does in the regular season. He competes at a high level, high, and it is important to have it back.Return of Zetterberg is more opportune given Johan Franzen has dealt with an ankle injury that might delay your availability.The wings can play Zetterberg and Datsyuk together at home, as often happens and separate them for part of the road series, making it harder for the opponent correspond. Datsyuk can form a line with Tomas Holmstrom on a wing and Franzen (or Mike Modano) and Zetterberg can back to centralization Danny Cleary and Todd However the rivalry with. rows shake, Zetterberg on one of them will make the wings that much better on both ends of the ice. "I think we showed in the first round we really good depth, we had to score all the lines, "said Niklas Kronwall. "But now will be even more difficult for the next team, and this is great for us."I mean, let's just face it, a z of top three, five, players League both offensively and defensively at the same time. Play without a guy like that is something you don't want to do, but we did that and we were fortunate enough to leave Phoenix. But we're very happy to have him back. "Zetterberg has not played since the injury April 6 at Carolina Hurricanes when he was hit by Bryan Allen. Injury worry Zetterberg — not in the long term anyway — as he limping away, but as often happens with knee injuries, the extent of the damage becomes clearer later.Zetterberg missed the final two games of the regular season and then had to endure watching when the playoffs began.It is difficult, "he said. "You want to be out there in the playoffs. Just sitting there, it was good that he only spent four games. You would rather play games than being hurt. It definitely helped that they swept the Phoenix and we have this extra week to be on the ice and get back into shape. "Zetterberg said he is feeling good on the ice and really now all that remains is getting his timing back, that should happen very soon. He adapted wearing a brace, but as he said, "half the League" now.Few in the League, however, shoot as Zetterberg does. Finished in the top five among all NHL players and shots in equilibrium, Datsyuk would reunite with fellow superstar ".We want to play together, but whether it is better to separate the team played, do that, "Datsyuk said. "It is good that he be back. It is important to us. He plays well this season, now he has a little more rest, he comes back, it will be of great help to us. "— The Detroit Free Press is owned by Gannett, Publisher of USA TODAYFor more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. For consideration of publication in the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, phone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the moderation process and an explanation of how to use the "report abuse" button. Read more.
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