DETROIT, Michigan -- Pavel Datsyuk returned from injury Monday night and immediately made his presence felt, scoring a goal and adding an assist as the Detroit Red Wings defeated the New York Rangers, 3-2.
Datsyuk had missed 19 games after suffering a broken hand in Detroit's 5-4 overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks on December 22.
After a scoreless first period, Datsyuk opened the game's scoring at 2:52 of the second period. He knocked the puck away from Brian Boyle in the left corner and then went to the net, where he took a pass from Jiri Hudler. Datsyuk stuffed a shot into the pads of New York goalie Martin Biron but reached back to knock his own rebound home.
The Rangers replied at 3:09 of the third period. Wojtek Wolski sent a cross-ice pass to Matt Gilroy in the right faceoff circle and Gilroy put it back across to the far side of the goal for Derek Stepan to knock past Detroit netminder Jimmy Howard.
Hudler restored the Red Wings' lead 1:55 later. He sent a between the legs pass to Pavel Datsyuk along the right wing boards and then cut to the goal. Datsyuk sent the puck to Jonathan Ericsson on the rush and Ericsson fed it back across to Hudler to rifle a shot over Biron into the top of the net.
With 5:23 left in regulation, Drew Miller made it 3-1. Justin Abdelkader fired a shot from the left faceoff circle on Biron and Miller knocked home the rebound.
Brandon Dubinsky scored with 4:05 left to pull the Rangers back within a goal, snapping a shot from the left faceoff circle past Howard on a two-on-one.
The Red Wings would hold on despite a late five-on-three for New York.
Neither team scored a power play goal on the night. Detroit had two tries with the extra attacker while the Rangers had five, including 44 seconds of five-on-three and a six-on-four with Biron on the bench to close out the game.
Howard stopped 45 of 47 shots in earning the win. Biron made 32 saves on 35 Detroit chances.
The Red Wings continue their stretch of five games in eight nights on Wednesday when they host the Nashville Predators.
Notes: Detroit lost forward Valtteri Filppula to a lower-body injury early in the third period. He did not return.
The Rangers will wear their vintage alternates on the road tonight, meaning the Wings wear white at home. As they should.
Rangers alts look fantastic.
Quick whistle again. Wings look horrible.
Great shift by the Helm line there, now the Rangers with pressure.
Started slow, got a bit better. Kind of surprised the Rangers didn't score.
Welcome back Pasha! Finally on the board!
FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pasha and Clears get us on the board!!!!! Welcome back!
Clark,
Sorry I have been away for a little while... They sent me to Japan!
Clark,
Sorry I have been away for a little while... They sent me to Japan!
How dare they. 
Welcome back.
Damn, Biron with a great stop on Franzen.
Although I will say the Wings have been buzzing!
Now that the retarded cast of VS. brings it up... This season scares me because it will be the last for #90 and possibly the last for #5... The thought of the latter sickens me.
Clark,
Sorry I have been away for a little while... They sent me to Japan!
How dare they.Welcome back.
The weather was actually nice... a whole 28 degrees, which is perfect for Hockey, and believe it or not, Japan has some pretty good programs. That being said, thanks for the welcome and I look forward to covering the rest of the season with you and MD! 
Now that the retarded cast of VS. brings it up... This season scares me because it will be the last for #90 and possibly the last for #5... The thought of the latter sickens me.
I'm feeling like they'll both be back next year. I dunno.
Now that the retarded cast of VS. brings it up... This season scares me because it will be the last for #90 and possibly the last for #5... The thought of the latter sickens me.
I'm feeling like they'll both be back next year. I dunno.
I sure hope you are right... Hell... I remember Nick in the line up since 91... God I am old!
Much better period, still feel like it's not enough. Rangers still getting some good pressure.
I feel like me turning the game on made Dr. Fil injured ): Why can't my favorite players be healthy at the same time?!!
Could see that coming. Wings chasing the puck.
Holy f*ck. Fantastic play all around. Way to go Huds.
So I wake up this morning here in Afghanistan and find out AFN is televising the VS feed.
So that was close. What happened to Flipper?
So I wake up this morning here in Afghanistan and find out AFN is televising the VS feed.
I'd say that's a good morning. Versus is better than nothing.
So that was close. What happened to Flipper?
Awkward hit earlier.
Sparty combination!
BOOOOOOOYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Motherf*ck
Got burned on that play
Indeed, Edzo, why the hell was Ericsson pinching up.
Couldn't pick a better time for a penalty. Erricson can be a real tool.
ARe you fg kidding me??????????????????
Looks like vOT
Mother. f*ck.
Holy sh*t, was that a PK
I got a kick out of the fact they said "And the horn sounds and the Red Wings have won it!" before the horn sounded.
That was scary.
OMFG!!! Great supper final effort by Clears with what, 25 seconds left to clear it?
Well, I'm giddy. Pasha is back (I mean really back) and I finnaly got to watch a Red Wings game here in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. I am so gd sick of seeing the penisguins on AFN any time they do carry NHL. You'd think weighted coverage this year would be the Hawks or Flyers. But no, the Buttman/Crysby lovefest continues even to Central Asia.
Top 100 Datsyuk Fact: A Datsyuk hat trick consists of (1) goal, (2) assists, and (10) take-aways. This is because everything in the Datsyukian universe must add up to 13.
Pavel Datsyuk
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
Comment on this Article
You must be logged in to add your comment.