Holmstrom out as Predators visit
March 6, 2007
BY HELENE ST. JAMES
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
With so many injuries, tonight's game between the Red Wings and Predators likely will resemble an exhibition, albeit a competitive one.
The Wings found out Monday morning they'll be without forward Tomas Holmstrom for at least a couple of games because of what coach Mike Babcock termed an upper-body injury. They're already missing Henrik Zetterberg (back), Dan Cleary (knee), Mikael Samuelsson (foot), newcomer Todd Bertuzzi (back) and No. 1 goalie Dominik Hasek (thigh).
The Wings called up right wing Darryl Bootland from Grand Rapids on Monday, making him the fourth Griffin in Detroit, along with Josh Langfeld, Matt Hussey and Matt Ellis.
The Predators played Sunday without their top three centers in Peter Forsberg, Jason Arnott and Grosse Pointe Woods' David Legwand, and also were without Scott Hartnell and Steve Sullivan. Arnott and Legwand are probable for tonight, Forsberg is doubtful, and Sullivan and Hartnell are out.
That'll make for two depleted lineups, but the saving grace is that the Central Division race is so tight, neither team can seek refuge in injuries.
"You've got to find a way to get points no matter who's in or who's not, and go from there," Babcock said.
The Wings are 2-1-1 against the Predators, with both victories coming at Joe Louis Arena. They lost, 4-3, in overtime at Nashville on Feb. 24, but that was part of a streak that has seen the Wings pick up at least a point in eight straight games.
The Predators, meanwhile, have points in seven straight games as each team keeps the other on its toes.
"With us competing for the division against one another, I think that makes it a rivalry," Kris Draper said. "You look forward to these games -- anytime you have a top team coming in, you use it as a measuring stick. They're the No. 1 team in the NHL."
NOTEBOOK: Hasek estimates he'll be back by the weekend. "I'm pleased with the progress," he said. "It's (the) fifth day I was on the ice today. I left early, but just to be cautious. I was skating no problem at all, stopping a few shots, and then I left the ice just because I'm not playing tomorrow. Friday or Sunday look realistic for me." ...
Samuelsson might also return within a week or so. He skated Monday for a third straight day and participated in the entire practice, subbing for Holmstrom on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Valtteri Filppula. "Feels good out there now, that's all I care about," Samuelsson said. "I just need to get my skating back and my timing back. The doctors say I can go really hard out there and see what the response is." ...
March 6, 2007
BY HELENE ST. JAMES
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
With so many injuries, tonight's game between the Red Wings and Predators likely will resemble an exhibition, albeit a competitive one.
The Wings found out Monday morning they'll be without forward Tomas Holmstrom for at least a couple of games because of what coach Mike Babcock termed an upper-body injury. They're already missing Henrik Zetterberg (back), Dan Cleary (knee), Mikael Samuelsson (foot), newcomer Todd Bertuzzi (back) and No. 1 goalie Dominik Hasek (thigh).
The Wings called up right wing Darryl Bootland from Grand Rapids on Monday, making him the fourth Griffin in Detroit, along with Josh Langfeld, Matt Hussey and Matt Ellis.
The Predators played Sunday without their top three centers in Peter Forsberg, Jason Arnott and Grosse Pointe Woods' David Legwand, and also were without Scott Hartnell and Steve Sullivan. Arnott and Legwand are probable for tonight, Forsberg is doubtful, and Sullivan and Hartnell are out.
That'll make for two depleted lineups, but the saving grace is that the Central Division race is so tight, neither team can seek refuge in injuries.
"You've got to find a way to get points no matter who's in or who's not, and go from there," Babcock said.
The Wings are 2-1-1 against the Predators, with both victories coming at Joe Louis Arena. They lost, 4-3, in overtime at Nashville on Feb. 24, but that was part of a streak that has seen the Wings pick up at least a point in eight straight games.
The Predators, meanwhile, have points in seven straight games as each team keeps the other on its toes.
"With us competing for the division against one another, I think that makes it a rivalry," Kris Draper said. "You look forward to these games -- anytime you have a top team coming in, you use it as a measuring stick. They're the No. 1 team in the NHL."
NOTEBOOK: Hasek estimates he'll be back by the weekend. "I'm pleased with the progress," he said. "It's (the) fifth day I was on the ice today. I left early, but just to be cautious. I was skating no problem at all, stopping a few shots, and then I left the ice just because I'm not playing tomorrow. Friday or Sunday look realistic for me." ...
Samuelsson might also return within a week or so. He skated Monday for a third straight day and participated in the entire practice, subbing for Holmstrom on a line with Pavel Datsyuk and Valtteri Filppula. "Feels good out there now, that's all I care about," Samuelsson said. "I just need to get my skating back and my timing back. The doctors say I can go really hard out there and see what the response is." ...
