Red Wings' Ericsson downplays his solid statistics

Detroit Red Wings' Jonathan Ericsson downplays his solid statistics

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Red Wings' Ericsson downplays his solid statistics

Jonathan Ericsson did notice a difference in the way the Detroit Red Wings played offensively, though.

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Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson talks about the 3-0 Game 3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Video by George Sipple / DFP

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson talks to the media in the locker room after practice Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Joe Louis Arena.(Photo: Julian H. Gonzalez DFP)

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson had two assists in the Detroit Red Wings' 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday. It marked the first time this season that Ericsson had multiple points in a game.

Ericsson also had three hits, two giveaways and blocked a shot in 21:54 of ice time.

"It wasn't any backdoor open-net passes," Ericsson said today of his two assists. "Sometimes they come and sometimes they don't. Most of the times, they don't."

Ericsson did notice a difference in the way the Wings played offensively, though.

"Last night, we really spent some time in the offensive zone, put a lot of miles on their (defensemen)," he said. "They looked tired for the first time in the series last night. So that's a good sign for us. I think we got energized by that, too."

Ericsson had three goals and 12 assists for 15 points in 82 games this season. The 15 points tied his previous career high (2010-11).

Counting the end of the regular season, Ericsson has finished a dozen consecutive games without a minus rating.

"I've been feeling better," Ericsson said. "You have those times, too, where things are better on the ice. You feel more confident.

"Then all of a sudden, you can feel great and the pucks can fly into the back of your net. But right now, it's good. Everyone's getting the intensity up here and, hopefully, we can get it even higher for the few remaining games in the series."

Just as he didn't boast about his two assists, he also downplayed the plus-minus rating.

"Those are, a lot of times, a fluke," Ericsson said. "There's nothing you can do. Sometimes it could be a mistake by yourself or someone else. It's just like a roller coaster."

Ericsson also downplayed talk of a 3-1 lead in the series, which the Wings would have if they win Game 4 on Thursday (7 p.m., FSD, CBC, NBCSN).

"Well, we had that against Chicago (in 2012-13); we know that doesn't mean it's over," Ericsson said of the series the Wings lost in seven games. "It's a race to four. But it would be huge if we win tomorrow again. I think we have a good chance. We really felt good about ourselves last night. (Petr) Mrazek really played well, too."

Contact George Sipple: gsipple@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @georgesipple.

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Source: http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nhl/red-wings/2015/04/22/detroit-red-wings-jonathan-ericsson/26188537/