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May 12--DETROIT -- Before Henrik Zetterberg ever played an NHL game for the Detroit Red Wings, new teammate Nicklas Lidstrom took his Swedish countryman American car shopping.
At the dealership, Lidstrom introduced Zetterberg as the "next Steve Yzerman." Zetterberg, a seventh-round pick who was supposedly too small, thought it was a joke.
Lidstrom was serious, then and now.
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No one may be having a better postseason than Zetterberg. He leads the NHL in plus-minus (plus-10). Only Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin has more points. Zetterberg also carries a seven-game point streak into tonight's Game 3 against the Stars, whom he has been dissecting on face-offs.
"He's probably the most complete player in the league," Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood said.
What separates Zetterberg from other talented offensive players is a work ethic that manifests itself in dogged backchecking, along with an intense competitive streak.
More than anything, those qualities caught Lidstrom's eye when he made the comparison to Yzerman, a certain Hall of Famer.
"They have the skill," Lidstrom said, "and they both have that determination that Stevie could take to the next level. I see that in Hank, too."
Lidstrom isn't alone.
Former Detroit coach Scotty Bowman, who did nothing by accident, assigned Zetterberg the locker stall next to Yzerman, where Zetterberg observed for two seasons.
Zetterberg cringes when asked about being mentioned in the same breath with Yzerman, saying it's unfair.
pgibby 
