Z The Beast

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

We all know the horrific start that Z had to start the season...and we all know how much of a beast he's been lately. After his 4 point night, I wanted to know how many points he had since his first multi point game of the year. Here's some feel good stats for you number guys:

Current totals: (As of 27 Mar 12)

76 games - 21 goals, 45 assists, 66 points, +16

Up until 19 Nov 11

18 games - 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, -1

20 Nov 11 on...after first multi-point game

58 games, 18 goals, 41 assists, 59 points, +17

For all those who feared Z was on a decline, he's playing as good as he ever has currently and he's looking pretty fired up going into the playoffs. Assuming the Wings take 4th in the West and with guys coming back from injuries, with a full line up the Wings will be very dangerous in the playoffs. Our D is playing better again after the s*** stretch and Z has been Dats like picking pockets and has been nasty on the forecheck stealing the puck off guys. Assuming we get Helm back in or around the first round, I think the Wings have a shot as much as anyone.

[b.shanafan14 733]

We all know the horrific start that Z had to start the season...and we all know how much of a beast he's been lately. After his 4 point night, I wanted to know how many points he had since his first multi point game of the year. Here's some feel good stats for you number guys:

Current totals: (As of 27 Mar 12)

76 games - 21 goals, 45 assists, 66 points, +16

Up until 19 Nov 11

18 games - 3 goals, 4 assists, 7 points, -1

20 Nov 11 on...after first multi-point game

58 games, 18 goals, 41 assists, 59 points, +17

For all those who feared Z was on a decline, he's playing as good as he ever has currently and he's looking pretty fired up going into the playoffs. Assuming the Wings take 4th in the West and with guys coming back from injuries, with a full line up the Wings will be very dangerous in the playoffs. Our D is playing better again after the s*** stretch and Z has been Dats like picking pockets and has been nasty on the forecheck stealing the puck off guys. Assuming we get Helm back in or around the first round, I think the Wings have a shot as much as anyone.

Feb 4 to March 26

24 games, 12 goals, 19 assists, 31 points, +12

Really heating up at the right time.

[Namingway 146]

I also noticed how he's been much better at holding onto the puck and giving the other teams a hell of a time trying to get it off him. Keep up the awesome work Zata

[arag 308]

Even when Z is not at his best, he is stil one of the best in the game. When is at 100% very few can match his work ethics and effectiveness.

Go Wings !

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Just as I was doubting him, his numbers speak for themselves. Let's hope it continues into the playoffs...

[Motown4013 350]

He has been unreal! I am really happy for him because he is WAY too talented and hardworking not to get results

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Apart from his offensive totals, he's been so involved in the game and defensively. He is a treat to watch when he plays like that

[Sentell 2]

Z with Flippula and Hudler will be a Deadly Combination in the first round. Z started doing good during Datsyuk's sabbatical cause it was a chance for him to come out of the dark and hes got his original game back from previous years even with Datsyuk back. He is always amazing in playoffs espspcially winning Conn Smythe in 07-08 and he was oustanding in 08-09

[b.shanafan14 733]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2012/03/red_wings_henrik_zetterberg_re_1.html

Skating is the big difference in Zetterberg's improvement. The sore ankle that nearly forced him out of the lineup for a brief time a month ago no longer is an issue.

"We had that discussion (about sitting out), and then Pav went down, so that was out of the question," Zetterberg said. “It's a lot better than it was a few weeks ago, so hopefully it will keep going like this into the playoffs."

He said he managed his game differently when the ankle was bothering him.

“You maybe don't go into all situations like you would if you'd been 100 percent," Zetterberg said. “Also, it's been lucky, too. If there had been one more hit or tweak on it, maybe I had to go out.

“But the training staff's done a real good job on the healing part and I'm almost 100 percent right now."

From the sounds of it, Z has been nursing an ankle injury, probably for a good portion of the season. Looks like with the rash of injuries Z had no choice but to heal on the fly. What a guy... the bold part is pretty telling of the direness of the injury to Datsyuk, as well as the guts of Hank

[kylee 727]

I love when he was slumping it was because injuries were catching up to him yet since the all star break he's been tearing it up. The excerpt above says he was probably nursing an ankle injury so there's No doubt the injury is improving but what people were talking about here was about all his back injuries from the past. A bum ankle makes perfect sense to why he was skating sluggish. Z is an absolute beast and I'm so thrilled to see him playing so great. Here's to him playing even better in the playoffs.

[AceInTheSleeve 97]

I'm loving the way Z is playing lately. Hes been unstoppable, the Z we all know and love. His confidence is really showing, he is driving the net hard, not afraid to make some nifty moves and never giving up on the play! The whole team seems to be feeding off his example and the forecheck is really giving us a lot of great opportunities. We even have our special teams starting to click again.

The difference in this team since the losing skid is like night and day. We are ready for the playoffs and I believe they are gonna make a real strong run. Everything seems to be coming into place at the right time despite franzen and helm out of the lineup.

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Ankle issues? I ******* hate Joe Thornton even more now.

@ 0:52

I mean, yeah that slash by Dumbo Joe in May 2011 probably has nothing to do with Z's ankle issues but that was the first thing I thought of when I heard about Z's ankle issues. Plus, I mean, come on, Thornton's just a moron to be hated anyways.

But also, I mean, should this information be released publicly? Whatever happened to lower body injury or in this case "upper body injury"? (I remember hearing about Shanahan leaving the Joe in crutches one year claiming it was an upper body injury). Isn't this the kind of information that guys like Backes, Thornton, Kesler, etc. salivate over?

[Jaymister 71]

I'm loving the way Z is playing lately. Hes been unstoppable, the Z we all know and love. His confidence is really showing, he is driving the net hard, not afraid to make some nifty moves and never giving up on the play! The whole team seems to be feeding off his example and the forecheck is really giving us a lot of great opportunities. We even have our special teams starting to click again.

The difference in this team since the losing skid is like night and day. We are ready for the playoffs and I believe they are gonna make a real strong run. Everything seems to be coming into place at the right time despite franzen and helm out of the lineup.

To say we are ready for the playoffs after beating Carolina and Columbus is a little silly if you ask me. I'm glad they bumped the slump, but i'm not planning the parade route quite yet. The're a lot of ifs that could swing either way like Howard's injury situation and readiness for a long haul for one.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Ankle issues? I ******* hate Joe Thornton even more now.

I mean, yeah that slash by Dumbo Joe in May 2011 probably has nothing to do with Z's ankle issues but that was the first thing I thought of when I heard about Z's ankle issues. Plus, I mean, come on, Thornton's just a moron to be hated anyways.

But also, I mean, should this information be released publicly? Whatever happened to lower body injury or in this case "upper body injury"? (I remember hearing about Shanahan leaving the Joe in crutches one year claiming it was an upper body injury). Isn't this the kind of information that guys like Backes, Thornton, Kesler, etc. salivate over?

Agree with both points, screw Joe Thornton and keep injuries on the DL.

Although, from the sounds of it, Hank's ankle is more or less completely healed, which is why he is willing to drop that little nugget. I do think it makes him a bit of a target for cheap s*** from the Thorntons, Keslers, Talbots, Johnsons, etc etc... in the league(seriously, there are a lot of cheapshot artists that have squeaky clean reputations among the media because head shots are the focus). And it does take next to nothing to re-aggravate an ankle.

Either way, lets hope its 100% and remains so throughout the playoffs.

[jeff48109 474]

wait, i thought Joe Thornton is a classy canadian boy that everyone wants to see win the stanley cup???

[Red Wings Addict 787]

Although, from the sounds of it, Hank's ankle is more or less completely healed, which is why he is willing to drop that little nugget. I do think it makes him a bit of a target for cheap s*** from the Thorntons, Keslers, Talbots, Johnsons, etc etc... in the league(seriously, there are a lot of cheapshot artists that have squeaky clean reputations among the media because head shots are the focus). And it does take next to nothing to re-aggravate an ankle.

Maybe he has some super ankle tape from the top researchers in Sweden or Detroit or something. Meh.

Which Johnson? I'm blanking big time I know it.

It's interesting because after I wrote that I felt a tiny bit hypocritical because Z isn't afraid to give a slash here and there. Well, nothing to the extent of that ridiculous Thornton slash but you know what I mean. At the same time, I've only seen Z give a slash to the types of Kesler, Backes, etc. I don't think I've ever seen him play someone like Henrik Sedin or Mikko Koivu that way.

[wingslogo19 281]

Hank is the man, he is bringing it every night

[Sentell 2]

[wingslogo19 281]

Would love to see that again this year

[rrasco 1,312]

Oh how times have changed. I seem to recall Z being on the trading block around here not so long ago and of course he starts to turn it up and opinions change about the guy. Figures. I told you guys Z was still elite...where would we be if we had traded him? Tough to even think about.

[esteef 2,679]

AND he has this!:

esteef

[Red Wings Addict 787]

I'm thinking Datsyuk will be the Conn Smythe winner.

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

Oh how times have changed. I seem to recall Z being on the trading block around here not so long ago and of course he starts to turn it up and opinions change about the guy. Figures. I told you guys Z was still elite...where would we be if we had traded him? Tough to even think about.

i was behind Z the whole time...hence the thread. now if he could just get better at faceoffs he'd be pretty much unstoppable. can't wait for the playoffs to start and hopefully Z plays himself into Conn Smythe contention. would be nice to watch the wings play in june again.

[Rick D 390]

Made my pants move a little bit.

[rrasco 1,312]

i was behind Z the whole time...hence the thread. now if he could just get better at faceoffs he'd be pretty much unstoppable. can't wait for the playoffs to start and hopefully Z plays himself into Conn Smythe contention. would be nice to watch the wings play in june again.

That wasn't directed at you or anyone in particular. The trade-brigade was just real hard on him earlier this season, and unnecessarily in my opinion. That always happens around here though, so I can't say I expected otherwise.