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Pavel Datsyuk dangles Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Pavel Datsyuk is one of the best players in the NHL with the puck. This is why.

by Adam Gretz
Gregory Shamus
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NHL Thursday: Tomas Hertl shut out in encore, but Sharks win
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There are few players in the NHL capable of embarrassing a defenseman the way Detroit Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk can.

That ability was on display once again on Thursday night against the Phoenix Coyotes.

Datsyuk_medium

Worth noting: That wasn't just some ordinary defenseman he was turning around, that was Oliver Ekman-Larsson, one of the best ones in the league.

Unfortunately for the Red Wings Justin Abdelkader’s shot off of that play was stopped by Mike Smith. Doesn’t take away from the move, though.

More from SB Nation NHL:

• 43-year-old Sergei Federov comes out of retirement

• Jonas Hiller’s awesome Mighty Ducks mask

• Brad Stuart gets 3 games for hit on Rick Nash

• Watch Tomas Hertl go between his legs for 4th goal

• Will Seth Jones be hockey’s first African-American superstar?

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