Detroit – Dominik Hasek, the Detroit Red Wings’ 42-year-old goalie, somewhat resembles the late stage and screen actor, Hume Cronyn. One of Cronyn’s bigger hit films, 1985’s “Cocoon,” concerned a group of senior citizens who discover a literal fountain of youth, the swimming pool in their backyard.
Does Hasek have a similar magic pool in his backyard? His playoff statistics would seem to suggest it.
Despite graying temples and creases lining his face, Hasek has arguably been the best player in the NHL playoffs so far. He takes a 9-4 record, 1.47 goals-against average and .934 saves percentage into tonight’s Game 2 of the Western Conference finals here against the Anaheim Ducks. He stopped 31-of-32 Anaheim shots in Game 1 on Friday night – the ninth straight game he has allowed two or fewer goals.
Despite being older than many goalies – including Patrick Roy – who already have retired, Hasek remains near the top of his craft.
“I don’t think he’s any different than the year (2002) he helped win us our last Stanley Cup,” Detroit veteran center Kris Draper said. “He doesn’t seem any different at all. … It’s amazing what he’s doing at his age, or any age.”
Sitting at his locker stall Saturday, Hasek peeled off an enormous collection of pads under his jersey. He seemed to have elbow pads on top of his elbow pads. Underneath them all was a bony upper body that would make Hans and Franz from “Saturday Night Live” do a chortle. But Hasek is no girly man in Detroit. Right now, he is the man.
“I just try to do my job,” Hasek said, in typical matter- of-fact fashion. “The guys in front of me really helped me out in Game 1. They blocked shots and helped out when I couldn’t see the puck a couple of times. That really makes a big difference.”
The Ducks were physical with the Red Wings in their 2-1 loss, including against Hasek. He was run into a couple of times and had to put up with Anaheim jabbing at his glove after the whistle, and the six-time Vezina Trophy winner might have blown his cool against such tactics earlier in his career. But he and his teammates remained composed and, ultimately, victorious.
“We know they want to play that way,” Draper said. “But Dom is used to that, and he just gives us a lot of confidence right now.”
Adrian Dater can be reached at 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com.
