Red Wings C Zetterberg shines in return to lineup

Feb 5, 2009 - 5:41 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Detroit Red Wings center Henrik Zetterberg made his welcome-back party a smashing hit.

After a three-game absence due to back spasms, Zetterberg returned to the lineup and scored a goal in Wednesday's 5-4 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

"I felt good," he said. "I was happy to be out there again. Overall, it felt really good, so I'm happy about that."

Zetterberg, who missed Monday's 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues, played in his first contest since signing a 12-year, $72 million contract extension last Wednesday - the longest and most lucrative deal in team history.

"He gives us another dimension the way he can hang onto the puck," said Detroit captain Nicklas Lidstrom, who played in his 1,300th career game. "He's so strong on the puck, too. Him and (Pavel Datsyuk), especially, are finding each other again. It was great to see him get a goal, too, and get him going."

A native of Njurunda, Sweden, Zetterberg tallied with 8:31 remaining in the second period to give Detroit a 3-2 edge. He registered four shots on goal in 20 minutes, 24 seconds of ice time.

"It's fun. It's the first time in a long time we played together," Zetterberg said of Datsyuk, who notched an assist on the goal. "It's like riding a bike - you know where you're supposed to be when he has the puck. He made a great pass to me behind his back on the goal. It's fun to play with him."

The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Zetterberg has recorded 18 goals and 26 assists in 46 games this season.

A seventh-round pick in 1999, the 28-year-old has amassed 170 tallies and 376 points in 401 contests with Detroit over his six-year career.