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Zetterberg's hat trick lifts Red Wings over Coyotes

Feb 18, 2007 - 7:16 AM GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- Henrik Zetterberg made goaltender Dominik Hasek's return a triumphant one.

Zetterberg notched his first career hat trick and Hasek made 20 saves in his return from an injury as the Red Wings posted a 4-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes, who have lost five straight.

The win gave Detroit 82 points, one ahead of Nashville for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Predators dropped a 4-1 decision to Minnesota on Saturday.

"We found a way to win, and that's what you have to do, grind it out," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said.

"We have a lot of games left with Nashville," Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk said. "We aren't looking for the top spot, we are just looking to improve game to game before the start of the playoffs."

Zetterberg also added an assist, giving him 24 points in his last 10 games. He recorded six goals and 12 points in four-game season series with Phoenix, which was swept by Detroit.

The Swedish right wing scored all three of his goals on the power play. He opened the scoring 10 1/2 minutes into the second period with a shot from the top of the right faceoff circle that beat goaltender Mikael Tellqvist.

Zetterberg increased the lead to 2-0 with 1:59 remaining in the session, jamming the rebound of defenseman Mathieu Schneider's shot past Tellqvist. He completed the hat trick with a blast from the bottom of the right circle at 15:36 of the third, giving the Red Wings a 3-1 advantage.

"I didn't particularly play well, the puck just bounced my way," Zetterberg said. "We had some ugly goals, but it's nice when the puck goes in the net."

"Everybody knows how good a player (Zetterberg) is," Phoenix defenseman Derek Morris said. "Everybody knows what that guy can do. He's not a player that just goes out there and scores on power plays. He can score on 5-on-5 as well."

Hasek, who missed four games with a right wrist injury suffered in a 4-2 win over the Coyotes on February 7, stopped the first 10 shots he faced before Mike Zigomanis broke through 25 seconds into the final period. The six-time Vezina Trophy winner improved to 10-1-0 in his last 11 games.

"I didn't even think about it the whole game," Hasek said of the injury. "(The wrist) feels great."

Zigomanis sliced Phoenix's deficit to 2-1 when he deflected Morris' shot from the left point past Hasek.

Datsyuk collected four assists and Jason Williams added an empty-net goal for Detroit, which has won eight of its last 10 games.

Datsyuk's assist on Williams' tally was his 300th career point.

Tellqvist made 23 saves for the Coyotes, who were outscored, 22-6, by the Red Wings this season. The Swedish netminder, who along with Zigomanis signed a new two-year contract with Phoenix on Friday, is 0-3-0 and has allowed 15 goals in his last three starts.

"Other than a few guys, we didn't play hard the first two periods," Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky said. "I don't care who is on the other side. Gordie Howe in a Red Wings uniform at age 72 might have made a goal in the first two periods. No one gave that effort, other than the goaltender and a few guys.

"We have to get more guys committed to work ethic. You have to make changes and bring the young guys up. This week, we will bring some guys up from San Antonio (of the American Hockey League). Everyone has an excuse or reason they're not playing hard. We have to set the trend that we are going to be working hard for the next 90 days. If you're not going to work hard, you are going to watch."