DETROIT -- Nicklas Lidstrom, 40, had two assists and a plus-5 rating in the

against the San Jose Sharks in Game 4 of their Western Conference semifinal series.

He leads all defensemen with four goals in the playoffs, and his 10 points are tied with teammate Brian Rafalski for the NHL lead among defensemen.

Big Sharks center Joe Thornton tried to rough it up with Lidstrom in the third period, but the Red Wings captain wouldn't oblige.

"I think just frustration on his part,'' Lidstrom said. "They already had a delayed penalty, he was just trying to draw another penalty on one of our guys. You just have to skate away from that.''

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock spoke before the game about the pleasure of coaching Lidstrom.

"He's not 25 anymore, but he's still an elite player,'' Babcock said. "It's been a pleasure for me to coach because he doesn't mind giving me feedback. He helps out. He's a great example to anyone. If you ever want to put a video together of how to play the game -- we call them Nickisms -- and use them at training camp to show people this is how you play.''

Lidstrom has steadfastly maintained that he won't decide on his future until after the playoffs. While many of his teammates and many in the organization anticipate he will play next season, Lidstrom is not providing any clues.

"I've been here five years and he's been addressing it at the end of the season for five years,'' Babcock said. "He's been fantastic, because leadership to me is about doing things right. He still says the right things, but it's more about his actions than what he does. It's always been about the team.

"He's gone about his business very quietly. The bigger the game, the bigger the stage, the better he's played.''

Odds and ends

Forward Mattias Ritola made his career playoff debut, replacing Jason Williams. He had no points and no shots in 7:45.