Nielsen notched the game's opening goal and a power-play assist in a 5-3 loss to Tampa on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

The owner of a mere four points in his prior 15 games, Nielsen needed this one badly. His first season in Detroit has certainly been a tough one, as he's still a couple points short of hitting 40 -- a mark he reached with ease in five straight (non-lockout-shortened) seasons prior to this one. Nielsen hasn't exactly been the ideal replacement for Pavel Datsyuk in the Motor City.