Yzerman joins Grind Line

He jolts slumbering offense, helps shut down Flames' Iginla

By John Niyo / The Detroit News

DETROIT — The Grind Line added a future Hall of Famer and quickly became a scoring line Saturday.

Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman replaced Darren McCarty on a line with Kris Draper and Kirk Maltby for Game 2 against Calgary, and the move paid immediate dividends.

Yzerman helped jump-start the Wings with two goals, including the winner, in the second period of a 5-2 victory Saturday afternoon.

“(Kris) Draper and (Kirk) Maltby and their speed, and Stevie with his smarts and his hands, they find ways to generate offense — not just defense,” Coach Dave Lewis said. “That really was important for us today.”

Draper’s line drew the No. 1 defensive assignment in this series, matched against Calgary’s top line with Jarome Iginla on nearly every shift. Along with the defensive pairing of Derian Hatcher and Chris Chelios, they held Iginla in check — he didn’t get a single shot on goal.

Yzerman got three, and he made both of his second-period chances count, allowing the Wings to take control of the game with a 3-0 lead. His second goal proved to be the winner, off a perfect cross-ice pass from Maltby at 12:19 of the second period.

“I’ve been getting some good opportunities but not getting a good shot away,” said Yzerman, who had gone 10 games without a playoff goal at home. “It’s just nice see the puck finally go in the net.”