Zetterberg is most valuable

PITTSBURGH - With 13 goals and 14 assists, Detroit center Henrik Zetterberg finished tied with Sidney Crosby as the playoffs' top scorer.

But offense is only one reason Zetterberg won the Conn Smythe Trophy last night as the postseason MVP.

Zetterberg was just as valuable at the other end of the ice, where he made his biggest contributions on the penalty kill. In the third period of Game 4, Zetterberg was on the ice with fellow Swedes Nicklas Lidstrom and Niklas Kronwall to bust up a five-on-three Pittsburgh power play, making the decisive play when he locked up the stick of Crosby to keep the center from netting a tying goal.

Last night, Detroit coach Mike Babcock tabbed Zetterberg yet again for five-on-three duties in the first period when forwards Dallas Drake (charging) and Kris Draper (roughing) were sent off within a 27-second span. Throughout the series, especially at Joe Louis Arena when the Wings had the last change, Babcock deployed Zetterberg against Crosby and linemates Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis.

"Someone said to me earlier, 'You turned your best offensive players into checkers.' I never did that," said Babcock, referring to Zetterberg and linemate Pavel Datsyuk. "They're just very good both ways and deliver offensively. That's the philosophy I have, anyway. I believe if the people that are playing against the best people can score, they have to worry about them."

Last night, Zetterberg scored the winner when his wrist shot dribbled past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in the third period. Zetterberg caused a commotion by powering through defenseman Sergei Gonchar and following his shot. In the first period, Zetterberg assisted on defenseman Brian Rafalski's power-play goal.

"It feels pretty good," said Zetterberg (a game-high six shots in 23:30 of ice time). "It's been a long way. It's been a long season. Especially [the triple-overtime loss] a few nights ago in Joe Louis Arena was devastating. We found a way to battle back. It's just a great feeling right now."

Swede success

Lidstrom won his fourth Cup last night but his first while wearing the "C" for the Wings, becoming the first European-born captain to win it all.

"It's something I'm very proud of," said Lidstrom. "I've been over here for a long time. I watched Steve Yzerman hoist it three times in the past, and I'm very proud of being the first European. I'm very proud of being a captain of the Red Wings. So much history with the team and the great tradition we see with some of the older players coming through. So I'm very proud to be the captain."

Lidstrom, matched against Crosby during the series, played a game-high 28:10 last night. Lidstrom closed out the playoffs with three goals and 10 assists.

But perhaps his most meaningful move came after the game when he was awarded the Cup by commissioner Gary Bettman. After giving it a hoist, Lidstrom handed it off to 39-year-old Drake, a first-time champion.

"He had a good, long career," said Lidstrom of Drake, who is considering retirement. "It felt natural to me to give it to him for all the effort and hours and everything he's put into the game."

Shaken up

Former Bruin Brad Stuart threw one of the finals' biggest hits in the second period, smoking Crosby with a heavy but clean shoulder check. Crosby got to his skates but returned to the bench slowly. Crosby missed one shift but returned at 6:22 of the second . . . Draper won 15 of 18 faceoffs, including a pair of defensive-zone wins (one with 45.8 seconds remaining and another with 33.1 ticks left, both against Crosby). The Penguins, however, eventually regained control of both draws. "It was chaotic the last 40 seconds," said goalie Chris Osgood . . . Forward Dan Cleary became the first resident of Newfoundland to win the Cup. Cleary is from Harbour Grace . . . Osgood's final playoff line: 14-4, 1.55 goals-against average, .930 save percentage. "I never, ever doubted myself," said Osgood (20 saves last night). "I just needed the opportunity."