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Gustav Nyquist's goal started the Red Wings towards a 3-1 Game 3 win. (Jen Hefner/MiHockey)

By Michael Caples –

DETROIT – In a span of 31 seconds during the second period, the Detroit Red Wings took control of their game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

With a little help from Pavel Datsyuk in the third, they took control of the entire series.

Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart just before the halfway mark of the second period, and Pavel Datsyuk added a highlight-reel goal in the third, as the Red Wings picked up a 3-1 win over the Blackhawks Monday night at Joe Louis Arena.

With the win, the Red Wings take a 2-1 series lead. Since their lopsided 4-1 Game 1 loss, Detroit has outscored Chicago 7-2 to even, and then take control of, their Western Conference semifinal series.

“I think getting the split in the Chicago was huge, and then we wanted to take care of business here at home,” Miller said. “We won the first one, and now we’ve got to put this one behind us and look forward to the next game, see things that we can adjust or do better or keep building off the positive things too.”

(Jen Hefner/MiHockey)

Jimmy Howard was perfect through 40 minutes of play, and allowed only a single goal to Patrick Kane, while stopping 39 of 40 shots.

Nyquist broke open the scoring at the 7:49 mark of the second period, finishing off a play that started off a face-off win from Joakim Andersson, and ended with Nyquist deking out both Brent Seabrook and Corey Crawford.

“Andy wins the draw off to the boards, Brunner gets it out, great job by him lifting it out, and I’m kind of crossing off, pushing the pace and trying to make a move on the ‘D’,” Nyquist said after the game. “Went around him, kind of faked a shot, tried to get Crawford down a little bit, and then go around him, and fortunately it went in this time.”

Miller increased the Wings’ lead just 31 seconds later, burying a rebound after Cory Emmerton picked off a pass, and set up Patrick Eaves for multiple shots on goal.

“You always want to go out there after you get a goal and get a big push, and they turned the puck over there to Emmer,” Miller said. “He got it down to Patty, couple shots on net, and the puck was laying there right there by the goal line for me to put it in. I have to credit my linemates, they did a lot of work for me there, but nonetheless, it’s a big goal for our team, and we kind of kept rolling from there.”

Yet none of it would have ever happened had the Red Wings not been able to hold the Blackhawks scoreless during a length stretch with no line change. After Detroit killed off a Brendan Smith penalty early in the second, the Blackhawks continued to pressure, preventing the Wings from making a line change. Miller and Jonathan Ericsson were stuck on the ice for 3:15 without a change, but they, along with Eaves, Kronwall and Howard, stood tall and eventually found a way to get a whistle.

“I’d like to forget that one, that was a long one,” Miller said. “You get stuck on the penalty kill like that, it’s tough to get off. You just try to stay tight and I think guys, everyone was blocking shots and trying to get the puck out. Jimmy made some big saves there, so I think the key to that is just trying to survive that, get through it, and get off the ice as fast as you can.”

Ericsson said he actually could have stayed on the ice longer.

“Yeah, but I was more tired like after a minute and a half, two minutes, and then I kind of recharged my batteries because I was standing still for like 15 seconds,” the Wings’ defenseman said. “I could get some deep breaths and kind of get going again. I could have stayed out a little bit longer.”

(Jen Hefner/MiHockey)

After the penalty kill and the ensuing goals, it was Datsyuk who struck next, and it came in the third period. Johan Franzen carried the puck into the Chicago end, drew the Blackhawks’ attention, and then sent a pass to Datsyuk. The Red Wings’ superstar managed a shot that beat Crawford shortside in remarkable fashion – a highlight-reel goal that gave the Red Wings a 3-1 lead.

“Great shot,” captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “We’ve seen it before. I don’t know if it hit Mule or not before it went in. It was just a great play, i think from Mule passed out to Pav. Seen that before.”

It would be the final goal of the game, as the Red Wings aggravated the Blackhawks for the duration of the third period. It was evident throughout the contest that the top-seeded Blackhawks are frustrated with the Red Wings’ play.

“Yeah, I think as the game went on, definitely you could see some of the frustration coming out,” Ericsson said. “After whistles they were maybe paying too much attention to us, or doing things after whistles, but that’s a good indication for us. If we can get them frustrated, we want to do that all day then.”

Canton native Mike Downing, a Wolverines recruit, was one of the co-captains for Team East during the 2013 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Muskegon. (Michael Caples/MiHockey)

The National Hockey League announced the 101 players that are invited to their scouting combine today, with 13 Michigan connections making the list.

Eight products of the U.S. National Team Development Program received invites, while Ryan Hartman of the Plymouth Whalers and the Saginaw Spirit duo of James Lodge and Nick Moutrey represent Michigan’s two Ontario Hockey League clubs on the list.

Michael McCarron (Macomb) and Michael Downing (Canton) represent the two Michigan natives featured on the combine list.

Here are the 13 players with Michigan ties invited to the prestigious event:

• Seth Jones – U.S. NTDP alum
• Ryan Hartman – Plymouth Whalers
• James Lodge – Saginaw Spirit
• Jon Hayden – U.S. NTDP U18 team
• JT Compher – U.S. NTDP U18 team (University of Michigan commit)
• Michael McCarron – U.S. NTDP U18 team (Macomb native, Western Michigan commit)
• Connor Hurley – Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Steven Santini – U.S. NTDP U18 team
• Michael Downing – Dubuque Fighting Saints (Canton native, University of Michigan commit)
• Keaton Thompson – U.S. NTDP U18 team
• Nick Moutrey – Saginaw Spirit
• Sean Malone – U.S. NTDP U18 team
• Hudson Fasching – U.S. NTDP U18 team

Pavel Datsyuk is just as much of a threat without the puck as he is with it. (Ellina Stein/MiHockey)

By Dave Waddell - 

So silently does Pavel Datsyuk skate that the NHL’s best thief of the night never tips off his intended victims.

The puck is there on their stick and then it’s gone and so is Datsyuk with one his patented pivot turns.

“With other guys, you can hear them coming,” retired Red Wing defenseman Nick Lidstrom said a couple of seasons ago when asked of Datsyuk’s thieving tendencies.

“You don’t hear Pav’s skates digging into the ice. He just kind of glides in silently, but what’s really amazing is he’s gone the other way so quickly.

“You can’t get it back.”

Run silent, then run like a thief.

Leave it to Lidstrom, who never seemed to miss a detail on the ice, to figure out the sounds of the game and the dangers they reveal.

At 34, Datysuk shows no signs of slowing down even though he and captain Henrik Zetterberg were asked to shoulder more of a burden than perhaps any duo on any team in the National Hockey League.

Datsyuk finished with 15 goals and 49 points in 47 games, but it’s been his ability to play without the puck that has elevated him to arguably the best two-way forward in the game.

A fact acknowledged by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association when they announced his nomination for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, symbolic of the best defensive forward, for a record sixth straight season at the start of the second round of the NHL playoffs.

Datsyuk has won the award three times to sit one back of Montreal legend Bob Gainey.

This year Datsyuk is nominated with Chicago’s Jonathan Toews and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron, who won it last season.

“I’m honored to be nominated with two unbelievable players,” said Datsyuk, who has two goals and nine points in Detroit’s first nine playoff games.

“Hard to say if it’s my best season, hope it’s not my last season. Keep playing and improve more.”

Photo by Ellina Stein/MiHockey

The slick center, who was voted by his fellow Russian players the best Russian player in the NHL this season, tied with Toews for first in the league takeaways (56). He led Detroit with a plus-21 and had an impressive face-off winning percentage of 55 per cent in helping the Wings turn in their best defensive performance as a team in five years despite the loss of Lidstrom and defenseman Brad Stuart.

Datsyuk can also count on Toews as one of his biggest admirers in the league.

“You’ve got to be aware of him,” Toews said.

“He can come out of nowhere and steal the puck from you and make a play and before you know it, it’s in your net. He’s as skilled as they come on both sides of the puck and obviously a tough guy.

“You’ve got to go out there and try to outwork him every shift because it’s tough to outclass him any other way.”

At 5-foot-11 and 198 pounds, Datsyuk certainly doesn’t seem built to play the physical game. That’s an assumption that’s a dangerous mistake to make.

Datsyuk is bow-legged with incredibly muscular thighs, giving him a strong, low and wide base on which to build his core strength. While his hand-eye co-ordination and his ability to perform ballet on skate blades is self-evident, it’s his explosive timing that most surprises opponents in the physical battles.

When he hits it hurts and he does it in a sneaky way by tossing his shoulder into an opponent when it’s least expected.

“You shouldn’t think that he’s not strong,” warned Chicago defenseman Duncan Keith.

“Just watch him play to see how strong he is. Just because he’s not 6-foot-4, 210 pounds does not mean he’s not strong. He’s really strong.

“You’ve just got to watch him to see how strong he is on his skates and how good he is at guarding the puck to see that.”

Having been both an opponent and a teammate, Detroit defenseman Kyle Quincey knows which one he prefers.

Quincey admits you take a run at Datsyuk at your own peril knowing he may turn your face a shade of red deeper than the Wings’ home jerseys with the embarrassment of missing.

“He’s one of those guys you’d never think of hitting because he’ll make you look stupid by going around you or counter-hitting you,” Quincey said.

“He, in my mind, is the best overall forward in the game.”

However, Datsyuk isn’t one of those gifted players that just conjures up his magic from deep inside his creative brain. What makes him so dangerous is that creativity is combined with the work ethic and will of a technician who’ll settle for nothing short of perfection.

When you see Datsyuk unveil some new sleight of hand, it’s almost invariably been honed in practice first.

“More practice,” Datsyuk said of his secret.

“Much easy to play in game. Make special plays, it makes it easy.”

Datsyuk works on new wrinkles over and over before or after practice, often with Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg being his guinea pig. If it can work on the tenacious Zetterberg, it’s going to work on everybody else.

“He does all the time,” Zetterberg said.

“He always comes up with something new. It’s fun to play with him and be close to him to see what he does every day.”

However, Zetterberg admits he rarely tries to steal a Datsyuk move for his own game. A man has got to know his own limitations.

“It’s out of my league,” Zetterberg said. “I’ll probably break something if I tried, so I’ll let him just do his thing.”

Perhaps the best testament to Datsyuk’s all-around game is he’s one of the few players who can regularly make the TV highlights on both sides of the puck on a nightly basis.

For Datsyuk, playing a two-way game is obvious logic and he explains why when asked if he enjoys scoring goals or making a great defensive play better.

“I’d be happy with both, follow each other,” said Datsyuk explaining good defense turns into offence.

For Wings, as well as hockey fans of all stripes, the biggest fear is Datsyuk may choose to finish out his career in Russia after his contract expires following next season.

However, Detroit general manager Ken Holland said there’s been no hint of that from the Datsyuk camp. The only discussions have really been around talking about a new contract beginning in July.

The threat of going home to Europe has proven a good negotiating tactic, Lidstrom regularly used it, so it would seem logical to unveil that option as a reminder of the Wings’ weakened position in any discussions.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock is as blunt as they come and rates the chances of Datsyuk gliding into retirement playing in the KHL after next season as zero.

“How long is his deal and how much is he going to make?” said Babcock of what he feels the only real questions are this summer.

“There’s this much possibility that he’s going back to Russia (holds finger and thumb barely apart). I mean, we’ll get it done in the summer.”

Welcome back to the work week. The good news? Red Wings tonight.

The City of Detroit welcomes the Chicago Blackhawks to town tonight…wonder if Hockeytown will be nice to them. Game 3, with the series all tied up, starts at 7:30 p.m.

The Wings and ‘Hawks are tied at 1-1, thanks to a superb third period from Detroit Saturday afternoon at the United Center. Click here to read our recap, and check out our ‘Check It Out’ area to see our photos from Game 2 – a big 4-1 win for the Wings.

The Griffins will be traveling back to Toronto in their series with the Marlies. Grand Rapids failed to eliminate the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate Saturday, as the Marlies pulled off a 4-1 win to force a Game 6 back at their home barn.

MiHockey has learned that the Alger brothers – Alex and Austin – have committed to Miami University. Austin was a second-round pick of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders in the USHL Draft earlier this month, while older brother Alex was named the MIHL MVP after leading Cranbrook to a state title. Alex was picked by the Indiana Ice, as well.

Sounds of the first round of the NHL playoffs. Not bad.

Torey Krug just keeps on having fun out in Boston. After scoring his first NHL goal Thursday night for the B’s, the former Michigan State captain had some more fun on Saturday, scoring and setting up another in a 5-2 Boston win. He’s our Michi-gamer, once again, for his effort.

Here’s the highlights from Krug’s big day:

On the international stage, Team USA won bronze yesterday, beating Finland 3-2 in a shootout. Here are the highlights from the game:

Check out our photo gallery from Game 2 between the Red Wings and Blackhawks.

JLA tonight.

Welcome to another season of MiHockey’s Michi-gamer, now powered by Bauer Hockey.

We take great pride in our homegrown talent. Whether they grew up in the Mitten or we welcomed them here for college or juniors, they are our own. They represent the best place in the world for hockey.

Every night, we’ll keep an eye on those players, and every morning, we will pick one Michi-gamer of the night – one Michigan player who stood out above the rest.

MAY 21 – DREW MILLER

You know, he’s only been back for two games. But last night, Drew Miller showed no signs of rust, as he played a big part in the Red Wings’ 3-1 win over the Blackhawks. The Lansing native scored what turned out to be the game-winning goal for the Wings, knocking in a rebound after multiple shots on goal by Patrick Eaves – a goal Miller said he was glad to get, but that most of the credit should go to his linemates. Yet his linemates, and the rest of the Wings, should be thanking him and a few others for a huge penalty kill in the second period. Miller helped kill off a Brendan Smith minor early in the second frame, and then got caught on the ice well after the two minutes expired, as the Detroit couldn’t find a way to get a clear or a whistle. Three minutes and 15 seconds later, Miller finally got to the bench…then scored a few minutes later. The former Michigan State star was expected to miss four to eight weeks with his broken hand – he made sure it was the earlier of those two numbers. Miller played 12:36, picked up a goal, and finished +1 Monday night. Not bad for a second game back.

More MiHockey articles on Miller:

Photo gallery: Red Wings frustrate Blackhawks in Game 3 win

Red Wings take Game 3 at home, take series lead in the process

Miller and Abdelkader: Michigan’s own helping the Wings

MAY 20 – TOREY KRUG

The Boston Bruins might be wondering why they didn’t call former Michigan State captain Torey Krug up earlier. After making the leap from the AHL right into the NHL playoffs for Game 1 of their series against New York and scoring the game-tying goal in the third period, Krug followed up with just an impressive of a performance in Game 2. The Livonia native had a goal and an assist – and a three-star selection – in his second-ever playoff contest yesterday afternoon.  Krug opened the scoring at the 5:28 mark of the first period, when he caught a pass by pulling the puck through his legs and up to his stick, then snapping a shot from the slot past Henrik Lundqvist. Then, in the second period, Krug caught a pass with his feet just inside the Rangers’ zone, simultaneously kicking it to his stick, before sending a shot towards the chaos in front of the New York goal. Gregory Campbell scored on the rebound for Boston’s second goal. Two highlight-reel plays for Krug, which meant two points for the former Spartan, and a 2-0 series lead for his Bruins. And, perhaps even better in the eyes of his coaches, the 22-year-old finished +2 on the afternoon.

More MiHockey articles on Krug:

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of May 13)

Krug named CCM/AHL Player of the Week

Torey Krug named AHL rookie of the month for February

To see last week’s Michi-gamer nominations, click here.

This week’s Michi-gamer list assembled by MiHockey’s Michael Caples.

Can’t see the photos? Click here to view them through our Flickr account. (All photos by Ellina Stein/MiHockey)

By Michael Caples –

In the third period of Game 1, the Red Wings fell apart.

In the third period of Game 2, the Red Wings seized control.

Goals from Johan Franzen and Valtteri Filppula in the final 20 minutes of play helped the Red Wings pick up a 4-1 win over the Blackhawks in Game 2 at the United Center in Chicago Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Red Wings even the series at 1-1, with Games 3 and 4 taking place at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

Damien Brunner and Brendan Smith (credited with the game-winning goal) also scored for Detroit, who out-shot the opposition 30-20 in the Saturday afternoon contest.

Jimmy Howard stopped 19 of 20 shots for his fifth win of the 2013 postseason.

Patrick Kane had the lone goal for the Blackhawks, which gave the home team the first lead of Game 2. On an odd-man rush that saw Kyle Quincey knock down the initial pass, a bouncing puck still landed on Patrick Sharp’s stick, and a tic-tac-toe passing play that involved Michal Handzus ended with a one-timer goal for Kane.

The Red Wings weren’t able to tie the game until the 2:40 mark of the second period, when a point shot by Jakub Kindl was redirected by Brunner and past Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford for the Wings’ first goal. Joakim Andersson also picked up an assist on the play.

About 14 minutes later, Smith jumped into a rush up ice, and captain Henrik Zetterberg found the Red Wings’ defenseman open just below the slot. A one-timer from Smith beat Crawford, giving Detroit a lead they wouldn’t ever relinquish.

Franzen increased the Wings’ lead to 3-1 seven minutes into the third period, taking a Jonathan Ericsson behind the Chicago defense, and firing a shot past Crawford to the top shelf short-side. Niklas Kronwall also picked up an assist on the play.

Filppula scored a highlight-reel goal five minutes later – an exclamation point on a dominating third period for the Red Wings. Right off a face-off in the Red Wings’ zone, Zetterberg rushed the puck up ice, and got the puck to Filppula. The Wings’ No. 51 scored on a backhand while he was flying through the air in the slot for the final goal of the afternoon.

Notes: Drew Miller returned to the Red Wings’ line-up for his first game since breaking his hand on April 20. The Lansing native had one shot and two hits in 12:07 worth of ice-time – 02:28 of which was spent on the penalty kill…the Red Wings were out-hit 36-26, according to the official stats sheet…Filppula was a perfect five-for-five on face-offs…Detroit blocked 15 shots, while Chicago blocked 11.

Forty-two schools will compete in the 2014 MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase from Thursday, Feb. 6 to Saturday, Feb. 8. The MIHL, the city of Trenton and Trenton Public Schools co-host the showcase at the Kennedy Ice Arena in Trenton.

Three Michigan schools will make their debut at the 2014 showcase – Hartland (2013 MHSAA Division II State Finalist), Houghton (2012 MHSAA Division III State Finalist) and Grand Rapids Christian. For the first time, the state of Ohio will be represented, as well, as St. John Jesuit will participate.

Brighton High School (MHSAA D-1 state champs in 2006, 2012, and 2013) will return to the MIHL Prep Hockey Showcase, as well.

Happy Friday, everyone.

What a night for Torey Krug. The Livonia native and former captain of the Spartans scored his first NHL goal…in his first NHL playoff game. A blast from the left face-off circle managed to find its way past Henrik Lundqvist, tying the game for the Bruins – a game they would eventually win in overtime.

Here’s the goal:

And here is Krug talking to the media after the game:

And now, in other news…

We have compiled a list of all the Michigan natives drafted by USHL clubs last week – check it out right here.

The Red Wings get back at it tomorrow afternoon in Chicago. Helene St. James of the Free Press says the club’s working on improving their special teams – the Wings need to capitalize on power-play opportunities whenever they can get them against the Blackhawks.

Here’s a fun look back at the Red Wings/Blackhawks rivalry in the ’60s, courtesy of the Detroit News’ Gregg Krupa.

The Griffins return to action tonight for Game 4 of their series with the Toronto Marlies. A win would give Grand Rapids a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Speaking of the Griffins…

So we already talked about the Bruins’ game…but did we mention that they won 3-2 in OT thanks to Brad Marchand?

Two power-play goals in the final two minutes of regulation helped the Kings shock the Sharks, and take a 2-0 series lead. Check out the highlights:

Bruce Boudreau, Paul MacLean and Joel Quenneville were named the three finalists for the Jack Adams Award today.

Ottawa vs. Pittsburgh, Game 2, is the only NHL game on the docket tonight. Here’s the game preview.

Highlights from Team USA’s big win over Russia yesterday – the first time they’ve scored more than five against that country in international play.

We’ll be back for more later.

Welcome to another season of MiHockey’s Michi-gamer, now powered by Bauer Hockey.

We take great pride in our homegrown talent. Whether they grew up in the Mitten or we welcomed them here for college or juniors, they are our own. They represent the best place in the world for hockey.

Every night, we’ll keep an eye on those players, and every morning, we will pick one Michi-gamer of the night – one Michigan player who stood out above the rest. 

MAY 17 – TOREY KRUG

Livonia native Torey Krug has played in three NHL regular-season games over the last two seasons – two in 2011-12, and one this season. In those three contests, he picked up two assists, but no goals. Apparently he was just waiting for a bigger stage to score his first NHL goal. Last night, in his playoff debut for the Bruins, the former Michigan State captain fired a shot from the left face-off circle at the 2:55 mark of the third period that got through a crowd and through New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. The goal tied the game for the Bruins, helping them force overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. There, Brad Marchand scored the winner, giving Boston the early lead in the series. Krug, fresh off his first full AHL season, played for16:41, recorded three hits, blocked one shot, and scored a huge power-play goal for his Original Six squad. We can’t wait to see what he will do next.

More MiHockey articles on Krug:

Krug named CCM/AHL Player of the Week

Torey Krug named AHL rookie of the month for February

MSU captain Torey Krug announces deal with Bruins

MAY 16 – LUKE GLENDENING

It wasn’t one for the record books, but it was another solid outing from Luke Glendening. The Grand Rapids native and former University of Michigan star continues to progress with the Griffins, and he’s becoming an integral part of their AHL playoff run. Last night, the former UM captain recorded an assist and a +1 rating against a skilled Marlies squad. Glendening’s two-way game helped the Griffins to a 5-4 win, and a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference Semifinals. After starting the season with the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye, Glendening just keeps moving up the depth chart. At the rate he’s going, we could be seeing him on the east side of the state, not the west, sometime soon. Glendening now has three goals and four assists, along with a +5 rating, in eight playoff games this spring.

More MiHockey articles on Glendening:

Griffins beat Aeros in first home playoff game since 2009

Billins, Glendening and the rest of the Griffins ready for the Calder Cup Playoffs

Luke Glendening proves high school hockey works

MAY 15 – CHRIS KUNITZ

The Penguins seized an early lead in their second-round series with the Senators, and a lot of it had to do with Chris Kunitz. The former Ferris State star had a goal and an assist for Pittsburgh Tuesday night, in the first game of the conference semifinals schedule. With some quick hands, Kunitz was able to dig the puck out of his skates and fire it in for a rebound goal in the second period, increasing his team’s lead to 3-1. It was Kunitz’s third goal of the postseason, and it was a big one for Pittsburgh. The former Bulldog also picked up the primary assist on Evgeni Malkin’s first-period goal – his fourth helper of the 2013 playoffs. If Kunitz keeps rolling, the Penguins will be that much more difficult to stop in the next few months.

More MiHockey articles on Kunitz:

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of May 6)

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of March 11)

MAY 14 – TYLER SEGUIN

It was an unusually-quiet first-round series for Tyler Seguin, who has emerged as one of the top threats on the Boston Bruins’ line-up over the past few seasons. In fact, the former Plymouth Whalers star hadn’t found the scoresheet in the first six games of the Bruins’ series with the Maple Leafs. Yet when the series was on the line, Seguin found a way to make his presence felt. Six minutes into Game 7’s overtime period, Seguin crashed the Leafs’ crease after Patrice Bergeron’s initial shot was stopped. The chaos he was able to cause with his 6-foot-1, 182-pound frame led to the puck popping back out to Bergeron, who buried his second attempt, clinching a series victory for Boston in the process. For Seguin, it now means a fresh start to the playoffs, after struggling against the team he grew up half an hour away from. It’s not hard to expect more offensive production; after all, Seguin had 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points in 48 games during the regular season.

More MiHockey articles on Seguin:

NHL ’14 potential cover athletes announced

Michi-gamer: Pride of the Mitten (Week of March 11)

MAY 13 – JUSTIN ABDELKADER

Talk about a triumphant return for No. 8. After missing two games for a questionable suspension, Justin Abdelkader returned for the two biggest games of the season for the Red Wings, and made an impact in both contests. In Friday night’s Game 6 – his first game back in the line-up – Abdelkader ‘scored’ the Detroit’s third goal; his centering attempt hit Daniel Cleary and bounced past Jonas Hiller at the 11:30 mark of the third period. He also led all players in hits, recording six collisions in Game 6, despite just serving a suspension. His play in Game 7 out-shined Game 6, however. With his team shorthanded and fresh off giving up a goal, Abdelkader knocked down the “D-to-D” pass at his own blue line, sending the puck towards center ice. The Muskegon native beat the Ducks in the ensuing footrace, and headed in on a shorthanded breakaway. With a quick move, Abdelkader was able to slide the puck between Hiller’s legs, regaining the lead for the Wings. The former Michigan State Spartan played 19:17 in Game 7, and finished +1, with five hits, one takeaway and one huge goal for Hockeytown.

More MiHockey articles on Abdelkader:

Red Wings beat Ducks in Game 7; Blackhawks up next

Photo gallery: Red Wings beat Ducks to force Game 7

Red Wings fall to Ducks in Game 3 after Abdelkader ejected for questionable hit

To see last week’s Michi-gamer nominations, click here.

This week’s Michi-gamer list assembled by MiHockey’s Michael Caples.