"Todd Bertuzzi provided the latest demonstration of why the Red Wings love their veterans, scoring a pair of goals that very nearly secured a rally.

Bertuzzi's output Saturday night at Edmonton enabled the Wings to reach five of a possible six points as they wrap up this four-game trip tonight at Phoenix, ending an exhausting two months of travel.

Bertuzzi, who turned 37 on Thursday, also had two goals Jan. 14 against the Blackhawks. He has shown the will the Wings especially see veterans display when needed, playing through pain to help the team come back from a two-goal deficit to lead, 4-3, against the Oilers. The Wings wound up dropping the game, 5-4, in a shoot-out; Bertuzzi was the only Wing to score as the game went through six rounds of skills competition.

"He's big and strong and he can skate," coach Mike Babcock said. "That's what I like about Bert.""