DETROIT -- Todd Bertuzzi was engaged physically right from the start. Valtteri Filppula made a concerted effort to shoot the puck. And Henrik Zetterberg took over the game in the second period, looking much like the dominant player of the previous two playoffs.

It was a good night’s work for the Detroit Red Wings’ second line, which accounted for five goals in Friday’s 7-4 win against the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 2 of their Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series.

The Red Wings responded to Phoenix’s physicality in the series opener with more speed through the middle of the ice, determination to get to the net, and the resilience of a team that has been here before many times.

And now, with the series tied 1-1, Detroit has the momentum heading into Game 3 this afternoon at Joe Louis Arena.

“It was a real team effort,” Zetterberg said. “Everyone chipped in. We rolled four lines. We evened out the minutes. That’s how you create at lot of energy at the end of the game. If you play with more people you will have more power in the end.”

While many contributed, one line led the way.

Zetterberg notched his first career playoff hat trick, including the winning goal with 6:06 remaining in the third period. Filppula registered six shots and had two goals and an assist. Bertuzzi picked up a pair of assists and had several battles with rugged defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who was a minus-3.

“We just knew our line had to step up and put the puck in the net,” Bertuzzi said. “We had tons of opportunities, it was just a matter of time. Henrik played terrific; Fil did a really good job shooting, he was on the puck.”

Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said Zetterberg’s line was dominant.

“It gives (Pavel Datsyuk’s) line a bit of a relief, when Hank and his line can play the way they did,” Lidstrom said.

While Phoenix doesn’t get much offense from its forwards, Detroit has the luxury of having two lines capable of taking over a game.

Coach Mike Babcock’s only complaint was why it didn’t happen sooner.

“(Zetterberg) probably got tired of the guy across from him (Shane Doan) competing,” Babcock said. “He’s a proud guy and thinks he’s a good player. If the guy across from you plays harder than you, he’s going to have some success. If Z plays like he can play, he’s going to have success. In the second and third periods I thought he took over.”

Said Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard: “He’s a clutch player. He’s real good when the pressure’s on.”

Bertuzzi is not the physical force he was during his prime, but he used his 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame to create some space for his linemates.

“He’s one of those players that does a lot of work for me and Fil, the type that (Dan) Cleary and Homer (Tomas Holmstrom) are doing for (their) lines,” Zetterberg said. “Nice to see he gets some points because he deserves that.”

Babcock has continually maintained that Bertuzzi will get offense as long as he involved physically -- not necessarily knocking people over but creating havoc around the net.

“I thought Bert was one of the guys on the top two lines that engaged right from the start of the game and was ready to go,” Babcock said. “Our big people got to be big if we’re going to win at playoff time.”

Instead of getting worn down by Phoenix’s physical play, like they did in Game 1, the Red Wings responded by out-hitting the Coyotes.

“That’s what we needed to do, counterattack. We needed to get a few more licks on them,” Bertuzzi said. “We have enough guys capable of doing that.”

Phoenix’s skating ability is one of its strengths. The Red Wings showed they can move, too.

“We got good speed on each line,” Cleary said. “The key for us is getting through the middle of the ice and eliminating their speed, make sure we’re above them. We shot the puck a lot, had guys going to the net and staying there, and that was the difference."