Mike 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) Update from practice: Update from Wednesday's practice: Pavel Datsyuk (foot) skated and looked better, but coach Mike Babcock said his status for Game 4 will be determined tomorrow. "Yeah, I'm healthy now,'' Datsyuk said. "But we'll make tomorrow a game decision.'' How difficult has it been watching the last six games? "This is not fun to watch. I take in lots of beer,'' Datsyuk said. Babcock said Kris Draper will play. He has been a healthy scratch the last two games after missing some time with a strained groin. Babcock said he didn't know whom he would take out of the lineup. Tomas Holmstrom and Brian Rafalski did not practice, but Babcock said they are fine and just opted to take the day off. Here are the lines they practiced with: Franzen-Zetterberg-Cleary Filppula-Datsyuk-Hossa Hudler-Helm-Sameulsson Leino-Draper-Maltby (Abdelkader working in) Downey-McCarty MLive Babcock just said that Datsyuk is a game-time decision. "We have an optional skate tomorrow morning and we'll see how he responds after that and after today. I have to talk to (trainer) Piet (Van Zant) and see how (Datsyuk) looks." That said, Datsyuk was practicing hard today, doing drills for the first time in a long time. The practice lines were shuffled as though they were preparing for Pavel being back. It sure looks like Datsyuk will be back unless his body takes a step backwards after today's workout. Red Wings Corner The Detroit Red Wings not only expect to have Pavel Datsyuk back for the Stanley Cup final, there�€™s a very good chance he will suit up Thursday night for Game 4. Datsyuk has missed the first three games of the Stanley Cup final and the past six with a foot injury he sustained during the Western Conference final, but a source close to the Wings said if Datsyuk doesn�€™t play in Game 4, he�€™ll definitely go in Game 5. The Wings take to the ice at 2 p.m. EST Wednesday and Datsyuk will practise with the team. He is expected to be evaluated after that practice and the morning skate Thursday before a final decision is made. There is no doubt he is very close to getting back into the lineup. Having Datsyuk would be an obvious boon to the Red Wings and would almost certainly take some of the defensive responsibility away from Henrik Zetterberg, who has been closely checking Sidney Crosby in this series. The Hockey News Edited June 3, 2009 by Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 Even if all he does is check Malkin - his presence will be a godsend! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsMyWings13 4 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 That is wonderful news! Go Wings! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EuroTwin 240 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 Dear sweet Jesus, please let this be true. Please please please please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lovin Jiri Fischer 147 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 :banana: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 He just doesn't want to be one of those non-active losers in a t-shirt holding up the Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bonan78 1 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 Victory is assured Even at less than 100%, Datsyuk is enough of an offensive threat that it changes the way the Penguins pick their matchups, and he can take care of Crosby so Zetterberg can focus on shutting down Malkin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opie 308 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 IF this is true you know what time it is right!?!?!?!?!? name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&"> name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350" /> Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swayze 81 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 He's gonna shut down Malkin and Z will take care of Crosby, just like last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puertoricanWingsfan 5 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 at the very least, Datsyuk may be able to put some points on the board. Even bigger than that, he may be able to help shut down Malkin. If that happens, ball game. er... I mean... hockey game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedSea 31 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 Mlive just reported that he is skating in practice and will have further updates for Datsyuk's status for game 4 after practice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) he can take care of Crosby so Zetterberg can focus on shutting down Malkin. But I was having so much fun watching Z OWN Sidney. lol Edited June 3, 2009 by xtrememachine1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SuperNovaXll 124 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 I couldnt care less of Datsyuk doesnt put up any points, as long as he keeps Malkin in check, he has done his job. LETS GO WINGS!!! Hurry back Dats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Esquire 324 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 I just went from a 6 to a 12. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzermaynard 1 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 :banana: QFT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 What a massive boost this would be for game 4, especially after the solid game the Wings played last night (well, first 2 periods) only to end up on the short end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 MLive also reports that Holmstrom and Rafalski are not practicing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsMyWings13 4 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 MLive also reports that Holmstrom and Rafalski are not practicing. Hopefully it's just to give them a rest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 MLive also reports that Holmstrom and Rafalski are not practicing. Last time Rafalski missed practice it was to "give him a rest" and then the next day he was injured and couldn't play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
zata20 4 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 (edited) A little more info from Bruce Macleod. http://www.redwingscentral.com/redwingscor...534974378050274 I think if Rafalski was injured they would switch up the lines. No way Cheli is playing top 2 minutes. Ericcson would likely be in that spot again. He has to be just resting. Edited June 3, 2009 by zata20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 MLive also reports that Holmstrom and Rafalski are not practicing. Holmstrom, we could do without, but Rafalski would be disastrous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AtomicPunk 296 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 I like what I am hearing here. Minus the Rafalski bit. Let's hope he is just resting. Chelios playing with Lids makes me think all will be OK for Game 4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redwingsfan18 1 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 Bruce Macleod's article is dead on, Chelly wouldn't be practicing with Nick if Raffy were hurt, I'm sure he's probably just got the day off and taking it easy. You never know if he's a little sore today and Babs just told him to sit this one out. To hear Pavs is skating, and skating well, is excellent. We're up 2-1 in a series without him, now think about how much better we are with him. This just made my day that much better, go wings! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike 0 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 A little more info from Bruce Macleod. http://www.redwingscentral.com/redwingscor...534974378050274 I think if Rafalski was injured they would switch up the lines. No way Cheli is playing top 2 minutes. Ericcson would likely be in that spot again. He has to be just resting. Nice find. Looks like Rafa is good to go and it's nice to see that Draps might be back in, but are they really going to keep Leino in and scratch Abs? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HanKarin40 7 Report post Posted June 3, 2009 This is great news about Pav! Dear God, let it be true! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
