Pavel Datsyuk won a number of categories in the NHLPA/CBC's recent player poll. 257 players participated in the survey. Datsyuk was selected as the hardest to take the puck from, cleanest player to play against, toughest forward to play against, and most difficult player to play against. Goaltenders also selected Datsyuk as the most difficult player to stop. Datsyuk has never won the Art Ross or Hart Trophies, but clearly he's one of the most respected players by his peers in the NHL.

Pavel Datsyuk, who didn't practice Saturday due to a sore throat, will be in the Detroit lineup Sunday against San Jose. Exhale Datsyuk owners. He will play against the Sharks.

Pavel Datsyuk wasn't on the ice Saturday because he has a sore throat. Datsyuk is still expected to play in Sunday's game. After scoring the game-winning goal with just five seconds remaining in regulation time on Friday, we can't blame him for skipping a morning skate.

Pavel Datsyuk isn't on the ice with his teammates Saturday because he's dealing with an illness. Datsyuk led Detroit to their 22nd consecutive home victory Friday night by scoring the deciding goal with just five seconds left in regulation time. Consider him questionable for Sunday's contest.

All-star center Pavel Datsyuk scored with five seconds left in regulation to give the Detroit Red Wings a 2-1 triumph over the visiting Nashville Predators on Friday night. The win was the Wings' 22nd in a row at home, tying a record the Boston Bruins set in 1929-30 and 1930-31. The Bruins closed the 1929-30 season with 20 victories at home and won their first two the following season. The Wings can erase the record Sunday if they defeat the San Jose Sharks. Datsyuk beat Rinne with a high wrist shot from the slot after making a move to elude defenseman Ryan Suter. It was Datsyuk's 16th goal of the season. He also had an assist on Johan Franzen's goal in the first period.

Pavel Datsyuk scored his 15th goal of the season on Sunday. Datsyuk isn't primarily known for his goal scoring abilities, but he's well on his way to reaching the 20-goal mark for the eighth straight campaign. He also leads the Red Wings with 56 points in 56 games this season.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said that an arm injury will keep Pavel Datsyuk out of the faceoff circle for a couple of games. While no specifics with respect to the arm injury were revealed at the time of this posting, Datsyuk took only a single draw at Phoenix on Monday night and the star forward will not be hovering over the dot for at least a couple of games. Heading into Tuesday's action, Datsyuk was 11th in faceoff percentage at 56.1.

Pavel Datsyuk was the first overall selection in the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft in Ottawa Thursday night. The future HOF'er will play for Team Chara. Datsyuk is rewarding his fantasy owners with another fine season for the Red Wings with 53 points in 49 games. If you factor in his Selke-Award winning defensive play, Datsyuk is probably the best player in the NHL with Sidney Crosby out of the lineup. Look for an 85-90 point season if he can play the full season.

Pavel Datsyuk potted a goal and also registered an assist in the Red Wings' 3-1 victory over the St-Louis Blues Monday night. If there's a better hockey player than Datsyuk right now, we would love to know who it is. Click on the link below to view Datsyuk's wicked backhander that hits the top corner to beat Halak.

Pavel Datsyuk has been white hot after a very slow start to the 2011-12 campaign. In his first 16 games, the supremely talented Datsyuk registered a mere 10 points. However in his last 30 games, Datsyuk has 41 points. He now stands tied for third in NHL overall scoring with Joffrey Lupul and Steven Stamkos just behind Henrik Sedin and Evgeni Malkin. If you factor in his Selke-Award winning defensive play, Datsyuk is the best overall pivot in the NHL, in our respectful opinion.