Oct 14, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) faces off against Detroit Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk (13) during the first period at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Datsyuk May Be Back vs. Bruins
Reports have detailed that star forward Pavel Datsyuk, sidelined with a nagging knee injury since Feb. 27, could be ready for the Boston Bruins‘ Wedensday matchup against the Detroit Red Wings.
Pavel Datsyuk said the time off "helped" and he's a game-time decision for tomorrow #RedWings
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 1, 2014
Datsyuk has been a Red Wing for his entire career, immediately showcasing his magnificent skating ability in 2001, his first full NHL season.
The 35-year-old center displays spectacular thoughtfulness bringing the puck forward and settling it in his team’s offensive zone. He is always one of the best playmakers on the ice with his great vision and capacity to thread the needle when passing.
At the same time, he often flourishes highlight-reel goals, employs his stick-handling skills to dangle around defenders and somehow engages tolerable defense, too.
These qualities would help out any squad, and his services couldn’t come at a better time than tommorow night’s contest against the Bruins, who have labeled themselves as the best NHL team during March.
The Red Wings are playing fine right now on a two-game win streak, seeing Darren Helm tally a hat trick vs. the Maple Leafs and a vital assist against the Lightning. Skaters such as Henrik Zetterberg and Daniel Alfredsson have led Detroit in the right direction despite the inconsistency of Datsyuk’s regular season appearances.
“It’s great to see him out on the ice skating and being part of practices,” Alfredsson said, based on an article from NESN.com’s Mike Cole. “We feel that we’re playing pretty consistent hockey right now, and getting a guy with his experience and his offensive abilities, among other things, will be a big boost for this team.”
The talented Russian brings so much to the table, and against a defensive stalwart like the Bruins, holding the capabilities a man like him can be the difference between victory and defeat.
However, you cannot assuredly say that one skater is going to down the red-hot Bruins. It will take a team effort for the Red Wings to triumph, and viewers will have to witness the Bruins’ young defensemen–Matt Bartkowski, Dougie Hamilton and Torey Krug–absolutely collapse and reveal that they aren’t worthy of boasting the league-high “goals against” tally (158).
Patrice Bergeron and the rest of Boston’s offensive assets will also have to render themselves useless.
In other words, while Datsyuk will be a welcomed addition to the Wings, they will need to overwhelm the entire Bruins’ crew to seize the win.
Still, expect quite the entertaining game at Joe Louis Arena.