Pavel Datsyuk named NHL’s first star after reaching 900-point mark

By @MichaelCaples –

A milestone week for Pavel Datsyuk has also garnered league recognition.

The Red Wings’ star forward was named the NHL’s first star of the week today, after he led the league with five goals during the last week of play.

Datsyuk tied for second overall in the NHL with seven points in his four games during the week, helping the Red Wings capture seven of a possible eight points in the standings.

The 37-year-old scored twice and added an assist to reach the 900-point milestone for his career during Sunday’s 6-5 win over Boston – rounding out his week in style. He is just the sixth player in Detroit franchise history to reach the 900-point mark.

From the league press release:

Datsyuk shared the League lead with five goals and tied for second overall with seven points in four games to power the Red Wings (29-18-9, 67 points) to seven out of a possible eight standings points and second place in the Atlantic Division. He scored twice, his first multi-goal game of the season, in a 3-0 victory over the division-leading Florida Panthers Feb. 8. Datsyuk then collected one assist in a 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators Feb. 10 before posting one goal – and scoring in the shootout – in a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche Feb. 12. He capped the week with 2-1—3, including his 900th NHL point, in a 6-5 triumph over the Boston Bruins Feb. 14. The 37-year-old Sverdlovsk, Russia, native – who has spent his entire career with the Red Wings – became the sixth player in franchise history to reach the 900-point milestone (309-593—902 in 928 GP), joining Gordie Howe, Steve Yzerman, Alex Delvecchio, Nicklas Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov. He has registered 11-22—33 in 41 outings this season.