By DANA WAKIJI
FOX Sports Detroit
It's beginning to be a good habit -- every week, it seems, one Red Wing or another is among the NHL's three stars of the week.
Last week it was Henrik Zetterberg's turn when he was the second star of the week.
This week the league selected the Wings' venerable captain as its third star, behind Washington Capitals goaltender Semyon Varlamov and Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan.
Lidstrom had eight points (two goals and six assists) as he extended his point streak to seven games while the Wings went 2-1-1.
The six-time Norris Trophy winner had a goal and three assists in a 4-3 overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche, which was also Chris Osgood's 400th career win. He had a goal and an assist in the 7-3 victory in Dallas, one assist in the 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Islanders on New Year's Eve and one assist Sunday against the Flyers in a 3-2 loss.
Lidstrom enters the week second among defensemen in scoring with 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 39 games. He trails Atlanta's Dustin Byfuglien by four points but Byfuglien, who played forward for the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks last season, has played three more games.
Now Lidstrom and his teammates will take their talents on a five-game road trip which starts Tuesday night in Edmonton.
"We know we have to play some solid road hockey," Lidstrom said. "We have to play disciplined defensively. We're going to face some tough teams on this West coast trip. Team defense is going to be important for us."
After Tuesday, the Wings play in Calgary Friday, in Vancouver Saturday, in Colorado Monday, Jan. 10, and finish in Columbus on Friday, Jan. 14, before returning to play at home against Columbus on Saturday, Jan. 15.
Jan. 3, 2010
