Nyquist plays key role in Detroit’s playoff run
Gustav Nyquist hasn’t scored a lot of goals on Jonas Gustavsson at Red Wings practice recently.
“I think lately he saves them for the game,” Gustavsson said.
Nyquist’s scoring prowess has helped save Detroit’s NHL- best streak of 23 straight playoff appearances. Thanks in large part to Nyquist’s 14 goals and 10 assists in 22 games since the Olympic break, the Red Wings overcame a season rife with significant injuries to extend their playoff run.
“With all the injuries we’ve had, it’s been pretty crazy,” Nyquist said. “But with all the injuries, I think all of us young guys have got more opportunity out there and ( are) playing bigger minutes. ... As a young player I think that gives you confidence, knowing that you can make more plays with the puck when you’re confident out there.”
The Red Wings’ injury list reads like almost like a full NHL roster. Pavel Datsyuk missed 37 games, captain Henrik Zetterberg 35 and counting, Darren Helm 40, Johan Franzen 27, Danny DeKeyser 16, Daniel Alfredsson 13 and Jimmy Howard 13.
What’s even crazier is how the Red Wings seemingly haven’t missed a beat. And the craziest thing is that Nyquist, who spent the first 22 games of the season in the minors, still leads the team with 28 goals in just 55 games. And it’s not even close. “He made a splash right away: first game, two goals, when he came up, so I don’t know if it’s a surprise,” Alfredsson said. “Maybe a surprise he’s been able to keep up that pace. We hadn’t seen him in the NHL as much. ”
Nyquist, soft- spoken and humble at 24 with 137 regular- season AHL games under his belt, wouldn’t agree that he has been one of the best goal- scorers in the world lately. But with a stretch of 23 goals in 32 games, Nyquist helped the Red Wings go 17- 10- 5 to beat out the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals for a playoff spot.