Red Wings Advance After Sweep
Niklas Kronwall has assumed a more prominent role for the Red Wings in the playoffs. For the first time in more than a dozen years a defenseman other than Nicklas Lidstrom is leading the team in minutes played.
Kronwall is a key component on the second power-play unit, one of the leaders on the penalty-kill and a solid contributor at even strength. He is leading all Wings in ice time (22:12 per game), hits (13) and blocked shots (eight) in the playoffs. He scored a power-play goal in Game 4 Wednesday versus Phoenix and had two assists in Game 3.
He is one of the main reasons the Wings swept the Coyotes in the first round and will have at least a week to rest before the next round.
"Kronwall's a guy in the organization that has to come to the forefront," coach Mike Babcock said. "He's capable of playing the most minutes -- power play, penalty-kill, even strength. He can be the most active. He's a physical guy who can really make plays, and we think he's an elite player."
It's clear how much the Red Wings missed Kronwall when he sat out the final five regular season games with an upper-body injury.
"For me personally, the more you play the more confidence you feel out there," Kronwall said. "It feels like you're taken on a little bigger role."
RED WINGS 6, COYOTES 3: Dan Cleary banked in a shot from a sharp angle to snap a 3-3 tie with 6:19 remaining in the third period. It deflated the Coyotes. Todd Bertuzzi then scored with 4:26 to play when his pass went in off the skate of Dave Schlemko. The Wings competed a first-round sweep by overwhelming the Coyotes with their depth. All four lines contributed, all six defensemen played key minutes. Goaltender Jimmy Howard was solid when he had to be. Patrick Eaves scored two goals. Tomas Holmstrom, Niklas Kronwall and Todd Bertuzzi also scored for the Red Wings, who eliminated the Coyotes in the opening round for the second consecutive season. Cleary and Valtteri Filppula each added a pair of assists.
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