Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Rangers: What a Difference 1 Player Can Make

Yesterday Detroit played host to the New York Rangers.

Detroit hadn't scored a goal since Wednesday's 7-5 game with 33.5 seconds left in the third period.

For one of the league's highest scoring teams, that was something that was unheard of.

Detroit welcomed back Pavel Datsyuk after missing 19 games and he paid immediate dividends.

Detroit had struggled on the defensive end and having Datsyuk back in the lineup, it seemed to calm the Wings down.

The score was 0-0 heading into the second period.

2:52 into the second period, Datsyuk made his mark.

Off of a great forecheck by Datsyuk, the puck squirted free for Dan Cleary. Cleary put it into the right circle for Hudler, than Hudler feathered a pass to Datsyuk into the slot as he was streaking to the net. After a save on the initial shot, Datsyuk put the rebound into the back of the net scoring Detroit's first goal in 143-plus minutes.

Later on in the game, Datsyuk added an assist on Hudler's goal to make it 2-1. The final score was 3-2 for the Wings and Datsyuk enjoyed first-star honors of the game.

Detroit seemed calmer on defense and Datsyuk's ability to forecheck was missed the last 19 games.

Detroit was able to hold on to the second spot in the conference and go 10-7-2 without its best player.

This is a win that Detroit should be able to build on.

Detroit missed Datsyuk and it was evident in the way the team played offensively and defensively. 

Prior to the injury, Pasha was on his way to the first 100-plus-point season of his career and although after missing the 19 games he won't be able to accomplish that feat, it was great to see Datsyuk pick up where he left off.

Detroit once again started slow, but that is something the Wings can work on. With Datsyuk back, the defense seemed to feed off the emotion—that is something to build on.

The quick starts we are all used to will come back in time.

Datsyuk now has 41 points in 34 games (13 goals, 28 assists).

When One Wing Is Healthy, Another Gets Clipped

Valtteri Filppula left last night's game midway through the third period with a lower body injury.

After being re-evaluated on Tuesday, it was determined that Filppula tweaked his knee and shouldn't be out long and has been listed as day-to-day.

No one has been called up as of yet as Detroit looks to have Tomas Holmstrom back for Wednesday's game. 

If he can't make the game, someone will be called up from Grand Rapids.

Filppula has 12 goals and 19 assists in 50 games.

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