Little bit of intrigue heading into Friday night's Game 3 between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings, as Wings star center Pavel Datsyuk(notes) has been hobbled by a bruised foot according to both the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News. (It was earlier being called an injured thigh.)
The Chief over on Abel To Yzerman recalls seeing Datsyuk take a shot off his wheel and suffering through the pain during Game 2.
If he can't go in Game 3, Detroit Coach Mike Babcock rolled out a line of Tomas Holmstrom(notes), Valtteri Filppula(notes) and Marian Hossa(notes) at practice today, according to the Freep. Explosive rookie Ville Leino(notes) would step into the lineup for Datsyuk.
He's been underwhelming on the stats sheet (one goal, six assists in 13 games) -- leading some to wonder if his injuries go beyond a puck off the foot -- but Datsyuk continues to do everything else you'd ask: 52.7 percent on face-offs, seeing significant time on special teams and giving Chicago something to worry about every time he's on the ice.
Datsyuk is being called day-to-day, but injury status can certainly change in a millisecond during the playoffs.
Witness the miraculous resurrection of Erik Cole(notes) for the Carolina Hurricanes. Funny how injuries caused on controversial plays keep healing up so quickly after the NHL makes is disciplinary decision ...
