In His Own Way, Pavel Datsyuk Goes Off on the Predators

Artistic license leads to creative genius.

Just ask William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk.

As fantasy begets reality, consider the concept of the unthinkable becoming reality. Or in the case of Pavel Datsyuk, don't even think about it, just do it.

Who knew that the original TV Batman -- especially the original TV Batman and not his hi-tech successors -- didn't defy logic when he and his faithful Boy Wonder would take on an army of villains and win?

Who knew the inspiration a vintage TV show like that could provide to the minds and actions of modern-day Russians?

(On a side note, Bruce Lee showed those scenes can also lead to high ratings and big-buck contracts. This year more than most, it seems the NHL took notice.)

Maybe Datsyuk isn't a fighter, but that doesn't mean he still can't take on a crowd and win.

There have been some amazing goals scored in this season's abbreviated NHL schedule. It's a 48-game sprint to the Stanley Cup playoffs, the players are showing that they realize it, and the broadcast ratings are spiking because of it.

Leave it to Datsyuk to imitate the Batman/Bruce Lee analogy in his own spectacular way against Nashville. It's the goal of the year.

For the record, Nashville went back to basics after Datsyuk's display. As a result, the Predators won, but on this night, the two points they gained took second billing to a rush against all odds.

Batman and Bruce Lee would have been proud.

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