Wings Ken Holland: “To have Pav go home all summer and have the uncertainty and all the rumors that goes along with Pav being back in Russia and going into the last year of his contract isn’t the way we want to do business.”

DETROIT – Pavel Datsyuk will be heading back to Russia in the next week or so.

And one thing Wings general manager Ken Holland didn’t want floating around out there were rumors of Datsyuk’s future in Detroit.

That’s why a deal was done before Datsyuk headed back to his native Russia, inking one of the league’s best two-way forwards to a three-year extension.

“To have Pav go home all summer and have the uncertainty and all the rumors that goes along with Pav being back in Russia and going into the last year of his contract isn’t the way we want to do business,” Holland said in a phone interview Tuesday.

The Wings and Datsyuk agreed in principal to a three-year extension worth $22.5 million.

The deal can’t be registered with the league until July 5, which is the first day of free agency.

“This agreement gives us the peace of mind that we have four more years of Pav, we’ve got more than four with Zetterberg, we have six with (Niklas) Kronwall and six with (Jimmy) Howard,” Holland said. “Z’s the captain, Pav is an assistant, Kronner’s an assistant and Howie is a goaltender who’s developed into a real important guy on and off the ice for us, a leader and a competitor and a guy that gives us a chance to win. The nucleus of our team is signed up through at least the next four years.”

Datsyuk, who turns 35 on July 20, has one-year left on a deal worth $6.7 million a season.

The extension, which has a salary-cap hit of $7.5 million, keeps Datsyuk in Detroit through at least the 2016-17 season and will make him the highest paid Wing.

Henrik Zetterberg, 32, has a deal that runs until after the 2020-21 season making an average salary of $6,083,333 million.

“Given how hard Pav works on his conditioning, day in and day out and Pav’s will and determination, I’m comfortable his game will continue to hold where it’s at for the term of the contract,” Holland said. “He’s a world class player. He’s in a small conversation of players that you would discuss being one of the best two-way players in the world.”

Datsyuk will make $10 million in the first year of the deal and then make $7 million the next year and $5.5 million the final year of the extension.

“We talked briefly when this deal is over he could keep doing one year deals like Nick Lidstrom, (Igor) Larionov and Yzerman,” Holland said. “I think from a security standpoint, Pav feels good about the security of a three-year deal and I think the Red Wings feel good about the security of a three-year deal. It’s nice to know we’re going to camp every year for the next four years and No. 13 is going to be out there on the ice.

“And Pav helps you win,” Holland continued. “He gets goals. He gets assists. But he does so much more. He’s a great shutdown center-ice man and as his career plays out he’s like a (Chris) Chelios or a Larionov, you just don’t gage his impact strictly on goals and assists, even though he is more than a point a game guy. He plays hard. He plays physical. He’s on the penalty kill. He blocks shots. We start out the penalty kill with him and 50-percent of the time he wins the draw and we shoot the puck down the ice. He does so many things. He steals the puck and next thing you know we’ve got the puck and we’re heading up ice.”

Datsyuk broke the signing himself on twitter, tweeting, “Signed 3 yr. extension. Detroit, glad to be here for 4 more yrs. Thanks to our fans, friends and Ilitch family.”

Holland had a few conversations with Datsyuk’s agent Gary Greenstin during the season, but both sides agreed that it would be best to focus on winning games and making the playoffs.

Holland met with Datsyuk a week ago and both felt comfortable doing a three-year extension.

“I wanted to be fair to Pav, he’s Russian and there’s a big league back home and there’s a lot of interest to get him to go back and play in the KHL,” Holland said. “I knew I had to have a security of a term that he felt good at and we felt good at as well.”

Greenstin flew into Detroit early Tuesday after finalized things with Holland and his client.

“I’m hoping that the game is growing and the cap starts to go north a little bit,” Holland said. “We gave him a little bit of an increase, but basically for planning purposes his new extension is a little bit more than what it is now, but it’s nothing that’s going to dramatically alter the makeup of the thinking of how we’re going to build the team.”

Datsyuk, who was selected in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Wings, has 767 career points in 11 seasons. He’s won the Lady Byng Trophy (awarded for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct) four times and the Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) three times.

“Pav does so many things that helps you win, even as his career goes on he’ll continue to do that,” Holland said.

Datsyuk is a four-time NHL All-Star and was a nominee for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2009.

He’s also been on the Wings’ Stanley Cup winning teams in 2002 and 2008.

Greenstin told The Macomb Daily that both sides were “very close” to reaching a new agreement as he boarded a flight to Detroit on Monday night.

This after Datsyuk tweeted on Monday, “Big day tomorrow”.

Datsyuk said during the Wings’ end-of-season locker cleanout that he wanted to return to Detroit and added he would still like to end his career in Russia.

“I would love to finish (in Russia), give back to my friends and fans in Russia,” Datsyuk said.

In the Wings’ playoff series with Chicago, Greenstin shot down a report in Sovetsky Sport that his client had reached a tentative three-year agreement with AK Bars Kazan of the KHL after his contract expires next season with the Wings.

“It’s BS rumors,” Greenstin said at the time. “He can’t talk to anybody. He’s under contract with the Detroit Red Wings. Nobody is talking to any Russian team. There are rules and he’s under contract.”

Datsyuk agrees to a $23 million extension keeping him in Detroit through at least the 2016-17 season

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have locked up an important piece to their success for another three years.

Pavel Datsyuk has agreed in principal to a three-year extension worth $23 million according his agent confirmed Tuesday in a phone interview.

The deal can’t be registered with the league until July 5, which is the first day of free agency because

Datsyuk broke the story himself on twitter, tweeting, “Signed 3 yr. extension. Detroit, glad to be here for 4 more yrs. Thanks to our fans, friends and Ilitch family.”

The Wings also confirmed the deal through a press release.

“We’re obviously thrilled to extend the contract of the best two-way player in the National Hockey League,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a press realease. “This deal ensures that Pavel will be in Detroit for the next four years. His accomplishments over the past 11 seasons demonstrate what a truly dynamic player he is. His work ethic is second to none. We feel we have a tremendous leadership group moving forward in (Henrik) Zetterberg, Datsyuk and (Niklas) Kronwall.”

According to Greenstin, Datsyuk will make $10 million in the first year of the deal and then paid $7.5 million the next year and $5.5 million the final year of the extension.

The deal has a salary-cap hit of $7.66 million.

Datsyuk, who turns 35 on July 20, has one-year left on a deal worth $6.7 million a season.

Datsyuk, who was selected in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Wings, has 767 career points in 11 seasons.

He’s won the Lady Byng Trophy, which is awarded for sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct, four consecutive seasons (2006-09) and he Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) three times (2008, 2009, 2010).

Datsyuk is a four-time NHL All-Star and was a nominee for the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2009.

He’s also been on the Wings’ Stanley Cup winning teams in 2002 and 2008.

Greenstin told The Macomb Daily that both sides were “very close” to reaching a new agreement as he boarded a flight to Detroit on Monday night.

This after Datsyuk tweeted on Monday, “Big day tomorrow”.

“Of course it’s a big day, I’m flying to Detroit to have lunch together,” Greenstin told The Macomb Daily on Monday night just before taking off on a flight to Detroit. “I can tell you we are kind of close, me and Ken (Holland) and Pavel are very close.”

Datsyuk said during the Wings’ end of season locker cleanout that he wanted to return to Detroit.

“It’s not 100 percent, but I’m looking forward (to signing here),” Datsyuk said. “I would love to stay. I hope we agree and I sign new deal.

“This is my goal, but you never know how this goes,” Datsyuk continued. “I would love to finish (in Russia), give it back to my friends and fans in Russia. I hope I’ll be in good shape (then).”

Datsyuk made headlines when he made said his dream would be to finish his career in Russia, which many speculated meant leaving Detroit after this contract ran out.

“You asked me and I just answered it’s fun to be home, but one home to come to another home, when you play too much here, it’s nice to come back home (to Russia),” Datsyuk said.

Henrik Zetterberg, 32, has a deal that runs until after the 2020-21 season making an average salary of $6,083,333 million.

“My time is too long, you never know,” Datsyuk said when asked how long he’d like to play in the NHL. Hockey now is so competitive, so aggressive game. You never know. But I’m looking forward.”

In the Wings’ playoff series with Chicago, Greenstin shot down a report in Sovetsky Sport that his client had reached a tentative three-year agreement with AK Bars Kazan of the KHL after his contract expires next season with the Wings.

“It’s BS rumors,” Greenstin said at the time. “He can’t talk to anybody. He’s under contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

“Nobody is talking to any Russian team,” Greenstin continued. “There are rules and he’s under contract.”

Datsyuk has expressed feelings about returning to play in Russia one day.

“We have time,” Greenstin said. “If he stays here it will be with the Red Wings.”

Datsyuk and Wings are “very close” to an extension according to his agent

DETROIT – When Pavel Datsyuk tweets out something like, “Big day tomorrow”, it’s worth looking into.

And what was discovered should make Detroit Red Wings fans quite happy.

According to Datsyuk’s agent Gary Greenstin, both sides are “very close” to reaching a multi-year agreement, that can’t be registered with the league until July 5.

“Of course it’s a big day, I’m flying to Detroit to have lunch together,” Greenstin said in a phone interview just before taking off on a flight to Detroit. “I can tell you we are kind of close, me and Ken (Holland) and Pavel are very close.”

When asked again if they were really close, Greenstin added, “Yes, me and Ken, we’re kind of close. It goes like this in negotiations. You know what Pavel means to the Red Wings and what he likes about the Red Wings.”

Datsyuk, 34, will make $6.7 million in the final year of his contract.

“I hope there will be something soon,” said Greenstin, who’s based out of Los Angeles. “We’ll see. He would like to continue his career in Detroit. I don’t see a problem in negotiations.

“We’re talking every day,” Greenstin continued. “Maybe tomorrow (they’ll have a deal), maybe in a few days. We’re not in a hurry.”

Despite the deal not being able to be made official until July 5, both sides can negotiate.

“We’re close,” Greenstin said.

Datsyuk said during the Wings’ end of season locker cleanout that he wanted to return to Detroit.

“It’s not 100 percent, but I’m looking forward (to signing here),” Datsyuk said. “I would love to stay. I hope we agree and I sign new deal.

“This is my goal, but you never know how this goes,” Datsyuk continued. “I would love to finish (in Russia), give it back to my friends and fans in Russia. I hope I’ll be in good shape (then).”

Wings general manager Ken Holland said he would be talking to Greenstin during the time leading up to July 5.

“It’s very important, but obviously he’s got options too,” Holland said. “He’s got a year to go, we know he’s on the team next year. Negotiations are tough. Because the player’s trying to find out what’s fair for him and the team is trying to find out what competitively, what you think makes sense. So just because all of a sudden somebody says they want to stay doesn’t mean you’re going to have a contract done.”

Datsyuk made headlines when he made said his dream would be to finish his career in Russia, which many speculated meant leaving Detroit after this contract ran out.

“You asked me and I just answered it’s fun to be home, but one home to come to another home, when you play too much here, it’s nice to come back home (to Russia),” Datsyuk said.

Henrik Zetterberg, 32, has a deal that runs until after the 2020-21 season making an average salary of $6,083,333 million.

“My time is too long, you never know,” Datsyuk said when asked how long he’d like to play in the NHL. Hockey now is so competitive, so aggressive game. You never know. But I’m looking forward.”

In the Wings’ playoff series with Chicago, Greenstin shot down a report in Sovetsky Sport that his client had reached a tentative three-year agreement with AK Bars Kazan of the KHL after his contract expires next season with the Wings.

“It’s BS rumors,” Greenstin said at the time. “He can’t talk to anybody. He’s under contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

“Nobody is talking to any Russian team,” Greenstin continued. “There are rules and he’s under contract.”

Datsyuk has expressed feelings about returning to play in Russia one day.

“We have time,” Greenstin said. “If he stays here it will be with the Red Wings.”

Datsyuk wants to sign new deal with Wings, but still wants to finish career in Russia

DETROIT – Pavel Datsyuk wants to come back.

Datsyuk, 34, would still like to finish his career in Russia, but not before spending a few more seasons in Detroit.

“It’s not 100 percent, but I’m looking forward (to signing here),” Datsyuk said. “I would love to stay. I hope we agree and I sign new deal.
“This is my goal, but you never know how this goes,” Datsyuk continued. “I would love to finish (in Russia), give it back to my friends and fans in Russia. I hope I’ll be in good shape (then).”

Datsyuk will make $6.7 million in the final year of his contract.

Wings general manager Ken Holland said he’ll talk with Gary Greenstin, Datsyuk’s agent, in the next few weeks, but a new deal can’t be signed until July 5.

“It’s very important, but obviously he’s got options too,” Holland said. “He’s got a year to go, we know he’s on the team next year. Negotiations are tough. Because the player’s trying to find out what’s fair for him and the team is trying to find out what competitively, what you think makes sense. So just because all of a sudden somebody says they want to stay doesn’t mean you’re going to have a contract done.”

Datsyuk made headlines when he made said his dream would be to finish his career in Russia, which many speculated meant leaving Detroit after this contract ran out.

“You asked me and I just answered it’s fun to be home, but one home to come to another home, when you play too much here, it’s nice to come back home (to Russia),” Datsyuk said.

Henrik Zetterberg, 32, has a deal that runs after the 2020-21 season making an average salary of $6,083,333 million.

“My time is too long, you never know,” Datsyuk said when asked how long he’d like to play in the NHL. “Hockey now is so competitive, so aggressive game. You never know. But I’m looking forward.”

Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk have stepped up their game when it comes to Game 7s

CHICAGO – Superstars are called upon to step up when the team needs them the most.

And that’s been the case with Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.

In five career Game 7s, Zetterberg has two goals and six assists, while Datsyuk has four goals and one assist.

That’s why Wings coach Mike Babcock doesn’t worry about his two superstars heading into Game 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight at the United Center.

“That’s because I’ve been hanging around them for a long time,” Babcock said. “Pav had six shots on net (in Game 6). He was home-free (Monday) night and didn’t score, he didn’t get up over the pad. Like he’s due. So the way I look at guys like that when they haven’t scored in a bit they’re due, they’re bound to come through.”

Zetterberg has yet to score through six games in the series, but does have three assists.

Datsyuk has just one goal and one assist in the series with Chicago.

“Everyone talked about (Jonathan Toews) for a long time,” Babcock continued. “It’s the same thing. When you’re due and you’re a good player and you work hard and you’re determined eventually you’re going to break out. So to me those guys are like money in the bank as far as I’m concerned.”

Zetterberg did come through in the clutch for Detroit in Games 6 and 7 against Anaheim. He had two goals and an assist in Game 6 and followed that up a goal and an assist in Game 7.

Datsyuk had a goal and two assists in Game 6 against the Ducks.

“That’s why they are who they are,” Niklas Kronwall said of Zetterberg and Datsyuk. “I wish I could tell you why. They bring it every night and in games like these is when they shine the most.

“They seem to find that comfort zone and just go out there and produce and make things happen out of nowhere,” Kronwall added. “They’re two of the best players in the league and we’re really happy that they’re on our club and not the other teams.”

Toews had been held without a goal this postseason before he finally lit the lamp in a must-win Game 5 for Chicago.

He then had two assists in the Blackhawks’ second must-win game of the series, Game 6.

“I just think anybody who is a scorer, who is getting shots on net is bound to score,” Babcock said. “If you’re not getting any shots on net, you’re not getting any looks, you’re not going to get any opportunity that way. We had looks (Monday) night, there’s no question about it. In the end, if you fail to execute around the net that’s just part of it. You have to find a way to put it in the net. Close doesn’t get you anywhere at this time of year.”

Valtteri Filppula also has come up clutch in Game 7s, registering a goal and five assists in five games.

Jimmy Howard is 2-1 in three Game 7s, with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” Howard said. “They’re a really good team. They showed it in the last two games. Just made a couple mistakes and it wound up in the back of our net.

“Some days they go in, some days they don’t,” Howard continued. “It’s just one of those things where you put it all behind you. It’s just one game. Nothing matters what happened previously in the serious. You just go out there and play.”

As a franchise, the Wings are 14-9 all-time in Game 7s.

Wings are 14-9 all-time in Game 7s; Zetterberg and Datsyuk have stepped up when it comes to these games

CHICAGO – Here’s a look at how the Wings have done all-time in Game 7s, coming into tonight with a record of 14-9.

2013: Western Conference QF vs. Anaheim, W 3-2
2011: Western Conference SF vs. San Jose, L 3-2
2010: Western Conference QF vs. Phoenix, W 6-1
2009: Stanley Cup Final vs. Pittsburgh, L 2-1
2009: Western Conference SF vs. Anaheim, W 4-3
2002: Western Conference Final vs. Colorado, W 7-0
1996: Western Conference SF vs. St. Louis, W 1-0 2OT
1994: Western Conference SF vs. San Jose, L 3-2
1993: Norris Division SF vs. Toronto, L 4-3 OT
1992: Norris Division SF vs. Minnesota, W 5-2
1991: Norris Division SF vs. St. Louis, L 3-2
1987: Norris Division Final vs. Toronto, W 3-0
1965: Semifinal vs. Chicago, L 4-2
1964: Stanley Cup Final vs. Toronto, L 4-0
1964: Semifinal vs. Chicago, W 4-2
1955: Stanley Cup Final vs. Montreal, W 3-1
1954: Stanley Cup Final vs. Montreal, W 2-1 OT
1950: Stanley Cup Final vs. NY Rangers, W 4-3 2OT
1950: Semifinal vs. Toronto, W 1-0 OT
1949: Semifinal vs. Montreal, W 3-1
1945: Stanley Cup Final vs. Toronto, L 2-1
1945: Semifinal vs. Boston, W 5-3
1942: Stanley Cup Final vs. Toronto, L 3-1

And here’s how the players have performed in the past.

Here is a look at how the Red Wings have fared in Game 7s:
Skater GP W-L G A Pts.
Justin Abdelkader 4 3-1 1 0 1
Joakim Andersson 1 1-0 0 0 0
Todd Bertuzzi 5 3-2 2 0 2
Damien Brunner 1 1-0 0 0 0
Daniel Cleary 5 3-2 1 1 2
Carlo Colaiacovo 1 1-0 0 0 0
Pavel Datsyuk 6 4-2 4 1 5
Patrick Eaves 5 4-1 0 0 0
Jonathan Ericsson 5 3-2 1 1 2
Valtteri Filppula 5 3-2 1 5 6
Johan Franzen 4 3-1 0 2 2
Darren Helm 4 2-2 1 0 1
Jakub Kindl 1 1-0 0 1 1
Niklas Kronwall 5 3-2 0 0 0
Drew Miller 3 1-2 0 0 0
Gustav Nyquist 1 1-0 0 0 0
Kyle Quincey 1 1-0 0 0 0
Mikael Samuelsson 5 2-2 1 1 2
Brendan Smith 1 1-0 0 0 0
Ian White 1 1-0 0 0 0
Henrik Zetterberg 5 3-2 2 6 8

Goalie GP W-L GAA Sv%
Jimmy Howard 3 2-1 2.01 .938

Quote of the day … Mike Babcock

DETROIT – Wings coach Mike Babcock on whether he’ll play Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk together in Game 6.

“We did that last night and it was no good,” Babcock said. “Was that just because the game was over? I don’t know the answer to that. They’ve been really good together in the playoffs. We’ve had them apart and they’ve been really good. They’re going to be really good no matter how we play them.”

Datsyuk’s agent says it’s “BS rumors” that his client has signed with KHL already

CHICAGO — It didn’t take long for Pavel Datsyuk’s agent Gary Greenstin to shoot down a report in Sovetsky Sport that his client had reached a tentative three-year agreement with AK Bars Kazan of the KHL after his contract expires next season with the Wings.

“It’s BS rumors,” Greenstin said in a phone interview Friday. “He can’t talk to anybody. He’s under contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

“Nobody is talking to any Russian team,” Greenstin continued. “There are rules and he’s under contract.”

Datsyuk, who has expressed feelings about returning to play in Russia one day, will make $6.7 million next season and can’t sign an extension until July 5.

“We have time,” Greenstin said. “If he stays here it will be with the Red Wings.”

Toews’ second period meltdown puts Wings on brink of eliminating Blackhawks

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings finally figured out how to score a power play goal on the Chicago Blackhawks this postseason.

And that success could not have come at a better time.

Jakub Kindl scored the power play goal midway through the game and it proved to be the game winner as the Wings grabbed a 3-1 strangle hold of their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series with Chicago after the 2-0 win Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena.

“That was huge for all of us,” Kindl said. “We knew we had to pick it up on our power play. They’ve been playing so good as a team on the PK. That was a huge goal for us.”

The Wings can end the series Saturday at 8 p.m. at the United Center in Chicago.

“This was the biggest game of my life so far and the biggest goal I’ve had,” Kindl said. “The series is not over yet. We’re happy with those two games we’ve played here. But they’re a great team and they’re not going to give. It’s going to be tough going back to play in their building. We’re just going to try and play the same way we did last two games, play on our toes and play tight in our neutral zone.”

Daniel Cleary added an empty-net goal with 38.2 seconds left and Jimmy Howard made 28 saves for his second career shutout in the playoffs.

Corey Crawford made 25 saves for the Blackhawks.

Chicago’s Jonathan Toews picked the wrong time to have a meltdown.

Toews was sent off for three consecutive penalties in the middle frame, the second of which led to a Wings goal.

Pavel Datsyuk dug the puck out from behind Chicago’s goal and fed it to Johan Franzen, who quickly got it to Carlo Colaiacovo at the point. After Colaiacovo pulled off a shot he found Kindl and his shot beat Crawford with a second left in the Wings’ power play.

Chicago had been successful killing off 30 consecutive power play chances by the opposition to begin the postseason.
Toews was sent off at 5:20 for hooking and then he was assessed back-to-back high sticking penalties at 8:04 and 10:54.

“I’m not going to say anything about the officiating,” Toews said. “Obviously, I disagree with the calls but it’s in the heat of the moment. They see what they see. I’ve got to be careful of my stick. That doesn’t help my team, but I still think we played hard through it, found a way to stay in the game, killed off two big penalties.”

After scoring a goal on their first power-place chance in the series, Chicago has gone 0-for-11 with the man advantage, including 0-for-3 in Game 4.

“Everyone’s a little pissed off,” Crawford said. “I thought we played well again. It just seems like we can’t get bounces. Three off the post and they get one off the post and in. That pretty much sums it up for the last couple of nights for us.”

After dropping Game 1 in the series, the Wings have won the last three in a row by a combined score of 9-2.

This is the Blackhawks’ first three-game losing streak this season. They had just three two-game losing streaks during the regular season.

Chicago began the season 21-0-3.

“We’re getting chances, going to the net hard and doing a lot of good things,” Crawford said. “I think there’s times when you’re just not getting bounces and doing a lot of things right. I just can’t explain it. It’s another thing if you’re not playing hard and you’re not battling. That’s not the case with our team right now.”

And the Wings didn’t sit back like they did in Game 3 where they had a two-goal lead and it led to a number of scoring chances for both teams.

Crawford stoned Brendan Smith midway through the third period after he took a drop pass from Gustav Nyquist.

Chicago had the net two best scoring chances. The first came on a 2-on-1 where Howard sprawled to make a right pad save to stop Dave Bolland. Then, Michal Handzus hit the post to the right of Howard.

In the second periods, Nick Leddy hit the post to the right of Howard with a floater.

“(Howard) made some big saves and we hit some posts,” Chicago’s Patrick Sharp said. “We knew he was a good goalie coming into the playoffs and nothing has changed.”

Just past the three-minute mark of the first period, Toews found himself open on a 2-on-1 and elected to shoot, but was denied by Howard’s right pad.

With less than five minutes to go in the opening period, Patrick Sharp got behind the Wings’ defense at their blue line, but Howard got a blocker on the shot.

That chance led to the Wings’ best scoring opportunity in the first 20 minutes when Daniel Cleary had a good look in the slot after taking a pass from Pavel Datsyuk, but couldn’t be Crawford.

Chicago got the first power play of the game after Niklas Kronwall hooked Toews. The penalty was caused when Kronwall’s clearing attempt got right on the stick of Toews.

Brendan Smith left the game with 3:22 left in the first period after getting hit on his right knee cap from a shot by Dave Bolland. Smith needed to be helped off the ice. He missed just one shift.

It was the second straight game the teams were scoreless after one period.

Wings will look to create “chaos” in front of Blackhawks’ goal while on the power play

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings had six power play goals in their opening round series with the Anaheim Ducks.

Through three games of their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series against the Chicago Blackhawks, they have yet to record a goal with the man advantage.

At practice Wednesday, Wings coach Mike Babcock tinkered with his forward units, keeping his top two lines during 5-on-5 play intact on the power play.

“We went through every single scoring chance we had on the power play in this series this morning,” Babcock said. “We talked a lot about our power play. We had a run through and let the guys see what’s going on and we tried to make adjustments. We’ve had some real good looks, but we haven’t scored yet. Sometimes when you get real good looks and you haven’t scored you stop shooting.”

If things remain the same from practice, Justin Abdelkader will be added to the power play, skating alongside Pavel Datsyuk and Johan Franzen.

“I don’t know, we’ll see, it was just one practice,” Abdelkader said when asked if he will see power play time in Game 4 Thursday at 8 p.m. at Joe Louis Arena. “If I get the opportunity I’m just going to do what I do, go to the net, retrieve pucks and be hard on the puck.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Abdelkader added. “Things are constantly changing, constantly trying different things. If my name gets called I will be ready.”

The Wings are 0-for-12 on the power play this series, registering 16 shots on goal.

“Chicago does a good job blocking shots,” Abdelkader said. “We just have to find ways to get the pucks on the net, create second and third chances by getting pucks back. They’re a good penalty killing team and any team that’s that good on the penalty kill for that long is doing a lot of good things. I think just commitment to their system is why it’s working. We have to find a way.”

Chicago has not allowed a power-play goal this entire postseason, killing off 29 straight penalties.

“We need good net front presence, let’s pound the puck, let’s get it back, let’s throw it in there and create some chaos,” Babcock said. “We’ll get one. We’ll loosen up and get going. Right now our power play has to be a bigger factor than it has been in this series.”

Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula and Daniel Cleary made up the other unit up front, while the blue line parings remained the same – Damien Brunner/Niklas Kronwall and Carlo Colaiacovo/Jakub Kindl.

Colaiacovo agrees with his coach about creating more chaos in front of the Blackhawks goal.

“Get pucks through, traffic in front of the goalie and create chaos in front on their net,” Colaiacovo said. “It’s not like we’re not getting chances. The pucks don’t go in and sometimes those things happen. We’re confident in the groups we put out there. When they’re out there they’re going to get a goal or create momentum for us. That’s what a power play is for. You want to take advantage of the extra man, but you also want to make sure the momentum that comes off it stays on your side.

“Sometimes the best thing is to just get it down there, whether it’s on net or not on net, you just want to get it down there and create some chaos with their killers,” Colaiacovo continued. “When you’re retrieving pucks off rebounds or during chaos that’s when the penalty killers move and things open up.”

Through three games of the series, the first power play unit was made up of Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Franzen, while Filppula, Cleary and Gustav Nyquist was the second unit.

“We have to find a way to get through their layers of players that they present when we decide to take the shot,” Kronwall said. “We have to get the pucks in there. We haven’t done a good enough job of that. We have guys in front that are doing a great job and we have to make sure we get the puck in there.”

Zetterberg feels the Wings are generating more chances early in games with the man advantage, but once they have to lead it changes.

“Later in games when we have the lead and we get the chance on the power play we’re a little too cautious,” Zetterberg said. “We just got to be on our toes, keep playing, go for the next goal. We’ve been better on 5-on-5 and now we’ve just got to do it when we get a power play, too.

“It shows that they’re doing something right over there, but it’s a challenge for us to get that first one and hopefully it will come (Thursday),” Zetterberg added.

There are just two teams – San Jose and New York Rangers – out of those that are still in the playoffs that have been penalized less than Chicago.

“When you’ve had some success it’s an ongoing challenge,” Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. “They’re always looking for ways of doing different things and there’s probably going to be something we haven’t seen moving forward. So, it’s a changing of looks and making sure that you adapt. But commend the guys from the goalie on out on the job that they’re doing, but that’s always a work in progress.”