OGT: Detroit Red Wings @ Anaheim Ducks, 10PM, FSD

**SportsFromA2** · 03-14-2012, 05:18 PM

10PM, FSD, AM1270.

JoeyMac in goal tonight, Bertuzzi back.

No progress on the Lidstrom front:

Nicklas Lidstrom feels worse and seems more frustrated.

Todd Bertuzzi will return to the lineup Wednesday night against the Ducks.

Joey MacDonald will start in goal for the Red Wings, in a move planned with back-to-back games on the schedule.

Pavel Datsyuk says he is feeling better every day, but there is no schedule for his return to the lineup.

That is the status of the Wings' lineup as they continue to grapple with the most difficult stretch of their season. The six-game losing streak early on had nothing over the current rash of injuries and the 3-6-1 stretch at a crucial point of the season, when the Blues are pulling away from the Red Wings in the Central Division and the Predators are catching up to them.

But perhaps the most worrisome aspect of the situation is the deep bone bruise on Lidstrom's ankle that is proving stubborn to heal.

When general manager Ken Holland first announced that the Red Wings' mainstay for two decades had gone down with the deep bruise he said it might keep Lidstrom out of the lineup for a few games. But Holland allowed that bone bruises are sometimes more stubborn.

This one is proving to be so.

Lidstrom skated even more briefly Wednesday at the Honda Center than he had in the previous two days, when the Wings were preparing to play the Kings.

"I was more sore today when I skated," Lidstrom said.

"I don't think it's good, so they want me to be more cautious about it."

Lidstrom said there has been some discussion of shutting him down completely, until the healing shows more signs of progress.

"We've talked about it and I'm sure they've talked to the coaching staff about what the next step will be.

"But it's still day-to-day."

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2...427/1361/rss41

**SportsFromA2** · 03-14-2012, 05:19 PM

Desperately in need of some secondary scoring options, the Detroit Red Wings will welcome back Todd Bertuzzi for tonight's game in Anaheim (10 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

He had missed four games with a strained groin.

“I feel like it's pretty strong right now,'' Bertuzzi said before the game. “Obviously, it'll take some time to get my timing back, but as far as the groin, it feels a lot better than it was.''

He said or regaining his timing, “Hopefully it comes back right away. Just keep it simple, shoot the puck, take the body.''

Pavel Datsyuk skated hard for the third day in a row, but missed his 11th consecutive game while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Feb. 21.

He said he is not sure if he will return Saturday in San Jose.

“Two more days, we'll see,'' Datsyuk said. “I'm skating every day better and better, but it's hard to say.''

He said the knee does not feel sore after skating.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index....zi_return.html

**smorg79** · 03-14-2012, 08:31 PM

Ugh Lidstrom.

**SportsFromA2** · 03-14-2012, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by smorg79

Ugh Lidstrom.

yeah, i'm legitimately very worried now..

13 games left in the season (including tonight's game)

**TG7782** · 03-14-2012, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by SportsFromA2

yeah, i'm legitimately very worried now..

13 games left in the season (including tonight's game)

Let him heal up, as long as he's 100% for the playoffs then I'm ok with that. Seems like St Louis isn't slowing down so all they need to do is maintain the 4th spot.

**SportsFromA2** · 03-14-2012, 09:03 PM

Originally Posted by TG7782

Let him heal up, as long as he's 100% for the playoffs then I'm ok with that. Seems like St Louis isn't slowing down so all they need to do is maintain the 4th spot.

I guess that make sense, don't even worry about the division title at this point...

But going into the playoffs, I do think it's kinda important to have everyone "together" out there before the playoffs, just to learn each other's tendencies and to fine-tune the ****ty PP/PK performance... I'm obviously not worried about Lidstrom's performance, but think as a unit/team it would be important to have their "regular" lineup out there at least once before the playoffs.

Quincey/Lidstrom have been in 1 game together I believe, Smith didn't play with Lidstrom at all this time around, IIRC...

And would be nice to figure out that last pair on defense, and figure which you can trust between Smith/Ericsson/Kindl for the playoffs and who excels in which situations / along with which other players...

**TG7782** · 03-14-2012, 09:09 PM

Originally Posted by SportsFromA2

I guess that make sense, don't even worry about the division title at this point...

But going into the playoffs, I do think it's kinda important to have everyone "together" out there before the playoffs, just to learn each other's tendencies and to fine-tune the ****ty PP/PK performance... I'm obviously not worried about Lidstrom's performance, but think as a unit/team it would be important to have their "regular" lineup out there at least once before the playoffs.

They are staring a matchup with Nashville right in the face so winning the division would be ideal but I have this feeling that St. Louis won't be caught however they can't go like this forever and it seems likely they lose steam and crap out in the playoffs.

Babcock says that it doesn't matter how you go into the playoffs and I tend to disagree because if you are lighting it up at the end of the season it seems unlikely to keep up that pace in more stressful situations.

I just hope the Wings finish out their last dozen games strong because going in limping is not a good recipe for success.