Why the Second was Better than the First!

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

The reason this isn't in the GDT from last night, is that its a Dats-centric thread based on his style of overall play (and its effect on the Wings future) rather than just last night. I'm sure we'd all agree that both of this goals last night were phenomenal, but the reason the second was better than the first was due to strength on the puck. Dats held on to that puck against 3 guys better than I've ever seen him do before, and still found a way after getting pushed off the puck briefly to get himself in position to put it home.

That's the type of player I've wanted Datsyuk to become ever since 2002. No one has ever questioned his skill, shiftiness and passing, but IMO in the past he was too easy to knock off the puck. On top of that, when the Wings have been down in a game, it seems as though Dats isn't "playing around" with the puck as much, and rather he's goes back to basics and looks for the open streaking player.

The point of this thread, you ask? Has Dats evolved into the type of player he was last night, and the majority of the season for that matter? If he is able to continue to play like this, it won't be nearly as necessary for the ZDH line to play together night-in and night-out due to Dats creating more room and chances for his wingers. Agree? Disagree?

Sidenote: IMO, you can thank Babs for instilling this in Dats.

[datsyukiandeke 0]

i see what your saying, but im still thankful he still has the skill to score ones like the first! thru the legs, wicked wrister just under the bar?? beautiful. seriously tho datsyuk has been strong on the puck the last few years now, although this year he is definetly shooting a lot more.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

I've always thought Dats was strong on the puck one on one, like along the boards or in open ice. But he did always seem to be a little weak when double teamed. But last night was amazing. You don't see guys go through 3 defenders like that. It just doesn't happen. To many sticks, skates, and clutching gloves.

But leave it to Pavel.

BTW, IMO the 1st goal was just as good.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I loved Datsyuk's comment that he wasn't feeling very "energetic" last night, didn't think he was all that good.

Dats on Dats

How utterly terrifying for the rest of the league, if that was Dats when he's feeling tired.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

i see what your saying, but im still thankful he still has the skill to score ones like the first! thru the legs, wicked wrister just under the bar?? beautiful. seriously tho datsyuk has been strong on the puck the last few years now, although this year he is definetly shooting a lot more.

I disagree. While he's always been shifty and able to elude opponents that doesn't make him strong on the puck. Making plays like he did on his second goal last night does.

i see what your saying, but im still thankful he still has the skill to score ones like the first!

BTW, IMO the 1st goal was just as good.

No doubt the first goal was prettier, but that's not the point of why the second was better than the first. The second was better because of the work he put forth to put it home. That's the type of stuff that wins games in the playoffs.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i loved both goals, the second one showed more strength and i liked it, but just liked the finesse on the first one

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I disagree. While he's always been shifty and able to elude opponents that doesn't make him strong on the puck. Making plays like he did on his second goal last night does.

No doubt the first goal was prettier, but that's not the point of why the second was better than the first. The second was better because of the work he put forth to put it home. That's the type of stuff that wins games in the playoffs.

All I know is that of the 4 goals he's scored recently, he gets them all from carrying the puck up through center ice, like a centerman should.

So long as Dats gets to carry the puck and play like a true centerman he'll score goals.

So long as Zetterberg does the logging and Dats gets stuck over along the left hand boards, he's not going to get any goals.

But yes, great goal by Dats. He's gotten stronger every year. I thing a great sign of his strength is displayed when there's a loose puck along the boards and Dats has position on the defender. It seems he has an uncanny ability to absorb contact from behind yet utilize that contact for momentum to get to the puck, retrieve it and maintain posession of it. How many times do you see a guy go for a loose puck and get shoved off or out of position to get the puck cleanly? Dats seems to have mastered the art of taking contact in the back and somehow deflecting the brunt of that contact and using it to his advantage at the same time.

[auxlepli 17]

That second goal was awesome! And it started out as a 1 on 3!

[WingNutt 12]

both goals were great. Second one yes he went through three of their players, but the first one he put a move on that took the players right out of the play and beat Kipper with a amazing shot up high glove side.

Pavel is the man

[toby91_ca 620]

If I had to pick which one was the "better" goal, I'd probably go with the first one. While the defenseman made an absolutely terrible play (not a play an NHL defenseman should make), it was a great shot and looked good.

The 2nd one I liked most due to his determination. While it wasn't pretty and he got alittle lucky with the puck bouncing back to him, you have to like the effort he put in. I think in his younger days, the play would have just fizzled when he wasn't able to get through the defense, but he stuck around and fought for the puck. You have to like it when your highly skilled guys score hard working goals like that.

Same thing on the 2nd goal though, there is no reason why Dats shouldn't have been on his ass, rather than the D looked around for the puck. My theory has always been that around the net, it doesn't matter where the puck is, eliminate the players on the other team and they can't score. There are exceptions of course, but this wasn't one of them.

[auxlepli 17]

I love the lead in the AP story.

DETROIT (AP) Pavel Datsyuk said he didn't have much energy. His play said otherwise.

http://stats.cbc.ca/nhl/recap.asp?lg=NHL&g=2007112705