Coyotes Vs. Red Wings, Game 2: Datsyuk With 3 Points In 3-0 Detroit Lead

Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal series between the Detroit Red Wings and Phoenix Coyotes started fairly evenly. The Coyotes, however, started leading a train to the penalty box, and Detroit made them pay twice. The Red Wings lead 2-0 after one period.

Early in the period, Johan Franzen was falling and off-balance onto the Phoenix corner boards. Shane Doan came in for a hit at the same time, and Franzen went hard into the boards. He was visibly bleeding and came off the ice for a while. No penalty was given to Doan. He has still not returned to the game.

A penalty was given to Mikael Boedker when he interfered with somebody at 5:35. The Red Wings were unable to convert on their first power play. Detroit’s power play went unsuccessful on it’s first four tries of this series. The Red Wings continued to control the offensive play for a little while afterwards, but Ilya Bryzgalov came up big.

Martin Hanzal was racing after the puck to try and cancel out an icing with Brian Rafalski. Hanzal bumped Rafalski well after he had touched the puck, and got a roughing penalty for it at, as well as an unsportsmanlike conduct minor that was outstanding after Dan Cleary got a penalty as well. From the point, Pavel Datsyuk made a beautiful move to deke past Phoenix’s Adrian Aucoin, then - in the same motion - just ripped a wrister past Bryzgalov. It was Datsyuk’s second goal of the series at 10:42. Detroit now 1-for-5 on the man advantage in the series.

During a 4-on-3 for the Red Wings, Michal Rozsival completed a trifecta of unnecessary penalties, when he chopped at Justin Abdelkader. He took a slash at 15:23, and the Red Wings quickly set to work. Brian Rafalski ripped a slap shot through a screen past Bryzgalov to make it 2-0 Detroit. It was Rafalski’s second goal of the series as well, and the Red Wings second power play goal of the game at 15:50. The Coyotes didn’t play all that badly in the first period, but they will need to stay out of the penalty box if they want back into this game. Five minors in the first is unacceptable for them.

Then late in the first period, a play that showed all the sustainability of the Red Wings attack shone through. Datsyuk chipped a loose puck past Keith Yandle, took it to the outside, went between his legs and put a shot on Bryzgalov. The Russian keeper made the first save, but there was Darren Helm to put in the rebound. It was his first goal of the post-season at 19:01. Datsyuk has figured on all three goals with a goal and two assists.