Two more tidbits: Per the Grand Rapids Griffins’ Afternoon Shift blog, Griffins captain Jamie Tardif’s playing sensational hockey, and DetroitRedWings.com’s Bill Roose reports that the Wings entertained a very special visitor recently.

Update 7:33 PM: One more thing, from NHL.com’s Brian Hedger: Johan Franzen says Datsyuk’s better than Ovechkin…

“I’d go with Pav,” Detroit forward Johan Franzen said. “He’s probably the best player to play with for a winger like me. He can find passes anywhere and his stick handling is just phenomenal in any situation. I’d probably pay to watch both of those guys play, though.”
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“We’re allowed to watch, too,” said Franzen, Detroit’s leading goal scorer with 27. “When we’re on the bench, we’re allowed to watch. I catch myself doing that every once in awhile and I’m shaking my head a little bit at some of the things these guys can do.”

He’ll probably get the chance for a few double takes on Wednesday night. Ovechkin has 12 points during the Capitals’ nine-game winning streak, while Datsyuk has racked up 17 points in 17 games since returning from a broken bone in his hand.

“We usually just look at each other on the bench and shake our heads,” Franzen said of Datsyuk’s slick moves with the puck. “I’m getting kind of used to it, but there’s always something he does that makes you do that. He’s exciting.”