The Detroit Red Wings didn’t need to be reminded about Ryan Getzlaf.

Earlier this season the Ducks’ center tied a club-record with five assists in a victory against Detroit. On Wednesday night he had a goal and two assists in a 4-3 loss at Honda Center, giving him eight points in two games this season against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

“I don’t know if he just gets excited every time he sees my smiling face or what,” said Detroit coach Mike Babcock, who was Ducks coach when the club drafted Getzlaf in 2003.

“Getzlaf is a superstar. I remember going up to watch him in Calgary when he was playing junior hockey. He dominated the game just lilke he does now. He’s a real good player. He’s an upper-echelon player. His size makes him special.”

Detroit’s defense noticed.

“Whoa,” Detroit right wing Dan Cleary said. “He’s a great player. He’s one of the best players in the world - big, talented, plays with an edge. He’s a handful and he was good tonight. We got the two points and that’s all that really matters.”