Hockey Beat » pavel datsyuk injured

Lidstrom To Play Game 1, Datsyuk Uncertain

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 29 May 2009 20:57:12 +0000

The Detroit Red Wings will take on the Pittsburgh Penguins tomorrow night in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals and I’m sure they are relieved by the news that Nicklas Lidstrom is expected back in the lineup.

The defenceman had been out with an undisclosed injury but was seen skating with regular partner, Brian Rafalski, during practice.

Unfortunately, there is a less definitive picture of what’s happening with Pavel Dastyuk. Detroit coach, Mike Babcock, said that it will come down to a last-minute decision before Saturday’s game. In my opinion, if there is still a doubt, I think he should rest for one more game and be truly ready for Game 2 rather than putting himself at a greater risk for injury (clearly, that didn’t workout so well when Martin Havlat forced his way onto the bench for the Chicago Blackhawks). The star player has been out for the last three games final with a foot injury.

Datsyuk and Kris Draper (missed two games with a groin injury) were both back on the ice for Friday’s morning skate but Datsyuk was not putting a lot of effort into it which indicates to me that he’s still suffering or cautious.

Jonathan Ericsson will also rejoin his team for Game 1 although he didn’t skate as a precaution just days following surgery for acute appendicitis.

image: TSN

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Blackhawks Win Game 3 in Overtime

Jeanne Dupuis — Sat, 23 May 2009 07:00:52 +0000

The Chicago Blackhawks blew an amazing 3-0 lead in Game 3 of the 2009 Western Conference Finals against the Detroit Red Wings. They scored two quick goals in the first period and struck again less than a minute into the second but then the Red Wings seemed to wake up and quickly evened out the game.

image: Zuma Press

Heading into the third period it was all locked up and it remained that way until Patrick Sharp scored at 1:52 of overtime allowing the Blackhawks to skate away with a 4-3 victory. The win has cut Detroit’s series lead, making it 2-1.

Both teams were dealing with injuries. Detroit played without star player, Pavel Datsyuk, in the lineup and Chicago’s Martin Havlat left the game in the first period after getting smashed by Niklas Kronwall. Coach Joel Quenneville said Havlat had shown signs of improvement after the game and would be reevaluated today.

The most scary injury, though, was the loss of starting goaltender, Nikolai Khabibulin, who had to be replaced by Cristobal Huet with the game tied at 3-3. I really expected for things to take a turn for the worse for Chicago with this development but Huet, who hasn’t played so far in the postseason, hung on and stopped six shots in the third. “I didn’t have time to think really,” Huet said. “I’ve been practicing a long time for that moment. I was anxious but at the same time ready to help the team in any way I could.”

Game 4 is Sunday at the United Centre in Chicago.

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Red Wings’ Datsyuk Suffering From Sore Foot

Jeanne Dupuis — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:37:09 +0000

Pavel Datsyuk’s status for Game 3 of the 2009 Western Conference Finals remains in questions as he tries to recover from a sore foot. The Detroit Red Wings star center missed practice today before the team headed to Chicago to get ready for tomorrow’s game.

He was injured after his foot was struck by a puck during Detroit’s 3-2 OT win on Tuesday night.

To be honest, despite the fact that Datsyuk is normally really essential in the lineup, he hasn’t been spectacular in the postseason (just one goal and two assists in the 13 playoff games). It’s been a stark contrast to his stellar, 97-point season.

After tomorrow’s morning skate, Datsyuk will be evaluated and, I’m guessing, the team doctors will make a decision about whether he can play. I hope to see him back in the lineup. It sucks to get sidelined during the playoffs.

image: TSN

Post from: Hockey Beat