Datsyuk, Zetterberg attack Sharks; Wings win third straight

Ted Kulfan
The Detroit News

San Jose -- This was one of those special evenings when Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg were in sync on the ice, displaying all their skills.

And there was nothing the San Jose Sharks could do about it.

Zetterberg had two goals and two assists, Datsyuk had a goal and two assists, and both made highlight-reel plays as the Wings soundly defeated the Sharks 5-3. It was the Wings' third consecutive victory.

"They do that every day, it's pretty amazing," said Patrick Eaves, who actually may have had the biggest goal for the Wings, restoring a two-goal lead (4-2) with 10.6 seconds left in the second period. "I'm just glad they're on our side."

Danny Cleary, playing in his 700th career game, scored on the power play for the Wings (16-4-2) and had an assist for his 300th career point.

"A good road win for us, and it starts the trip off the way you want it," coach Mike Babcock said.

Dany Heatley (power play), Benn Ferriero and Ryane Clowe scored for the Sharks (11-8-4), who had three defensemen out with injuries.

"The big thing is that we were able to take advantage of their defense tonight," Babcock said. "We knew coming in that was going to be an issue for them. We spent minutes in their zone."

Said Sharks coach Todd McLellan: "Not a lot of our young defensemen have had experience playing against Datsyuk, Zetterberg and those type of people."

Datsyuk scored his eighth goal of the season, splitting the San Jose defense, then waited out goalie Antero Niittymaki on an instant-highlight goal to make it 2-0.

Datsyuk also had an eye-opening assist on Zetterberg's goal, giving the Wings a 5-2 lead early in the third period. Datsyuk toyed with the San Jose defense, faked Niittymaki, and backhanded a pass to Zetterberg all alone near the crease.

Then there was Zetterberg's goal, in which he swiped the puck from mid-air past a bewildered Niittymaki.

"Once in a while you try to just whack it," Zetterberg said. "It was fun to see it go it in."

Said Datsyuk: "Lots of times I watch someone else score a similar goal and say 'Wow.' "

The duo seemed to know they had everything clicking on this evening.

"If it goes well for you, it's easier and you can relax a little bit," Zetterberg said. "That's what happened tonight."

The two have obvious chemistry on the ice. But just in case, Datsyuk has an added bonus in knowing when Zetterberg is on the ice trailing him.

"If I hear someone yell in Swedish, it's him," Datsyuk said.

Dec. 1, 2010