Healthy Datsyuk could be difference-maker for Wings

DETROIT -- There's a reason every player wants to play on a line with Pavel Datsyuk.

Call him the Magician, the Magic Man, whatever you want, the fact is he's a difference-maker and the Wings are a better team when he plays.

Datsyuk returned after missing four games with a groin injury and scored twice, both on rebounds in a 5-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

One came on the power play when Datsyuk went to the net, giving the Wings a 3-1 lead and forcing Flyers coach Craig Berube to pull goaltender Steve Mason and replace him with Ray Emery.

The other came when Datsyuk rebounded Darren Helm's shot out of mid-air past Emery.

"Finally it's feeling good," Datsyuk said. "I think I need more working on it and be better and be faster."

Datsyuk didn't really need to be fast as he was playing with Helm and Stephen Weiss.

"When you (come back) after missing as many games it's more important that your partners help and they did a great job that they helped me a lot and stuck with me," Datsyuk said. "It's awesome, I appreciate it for this one."

Weiss, who scored the Wings' first goal, his third in the two games since his return, was practically giddy to be playing with Datsyuk.

"He's first of all, so gifted and so smart and he works so hard when he's out that when he comes back in, he doesn't miss a beat," Weiss said. "It's just amazing to see, really. All those hours of keep-away that he plays with guys really pay off in the end. He stole a few pucks (Wednesday night) that were just incredible. He's fun to watch, let alone play with."

Datsyuk doesn't have Helm's speed but he has something else that makes him better than most NHL players.

"He's just a little bit smarter than everyone else," Weiss said. "On top of that, he works just as hard, if not harder, and doesn't take his skills for granted. He's earned those type of things. He doesn't steal pucks because he's lucky. He works at it."

Goaltender Jimmy Howard has seen it all before from Datsyuk.

"He works hard in practice," Howard said. "He works hard in the back room. He's a gifted player, sees the ice well. He's got a great shot and a great set of hands. That's what we all know. It's no surprise to any of us in the dressing room."

Although Wings coach Mike Babcock wouldn't commit to keeping that line together, he liked the early results.

"Pavel, Helm and Weiss, obviously were the difference for us (Wednesday)," Babcock said. "Helmer gives those guys good legs. I thought Weiss went to the net again. You gotta give him credit, holy God, three goals here. That's positive for us."

Datsyuk missed 45 games last season because of a knee injury and a concussion. 

Captain Henrik Zetterberg missed 37 games last season because of back surgery.

Weiss missed 56 games because of sports hernia surgery.

If all three can stay healthy the rest of the season, it makes you wonder how good a team the Wings can be.

"Like I keep trying to tell them every day, I think we have a chance to become a good team," Babcock said. "We're not there yet, by any means, but we have a chance to keep getting better. I think we can play fast in the end."

If they're excited about it, they're not ready to say it.

"We don't want to look that far ahead but it's exciting to think what we can do with a healthy team," Weiss said. "We really haven't played together that much. Even last year, guys were hurt at different times and we haven't jelled yet. 

"But as of right now, we're just focused on (Friday in) New Jersey."