Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg is questionable for tonight’s game against the Edmonton Oilers with an undisclosed injury.
According to Ansar Khan of Mlive.com, Zetterberg left this morning’s practice early and head coach Mike Babcock was very vague about it classifying it as a “middle body” injury.
If Zetterberg isn’t able to go tonight because of the injury Babcock may insert either Fabian Brunnstrom or Patrick Eaves into the lineup.
“I think Eaves is in. I’ve got Eaves and Brunner both ready to go,” Babcock said. “I think (Zetterberg) is in, but I’m not 100 percent sure. It’s not an upper body, it’s not a lower body, it’s a middle body. I don’t know if it’s anything. He started to skate and didn’t finish the skate.”
In terms of the line combinations, if Zetterberg can’t go Valtteri Filppula will go to center on a line with Johan Franzen and use either Brunnstrom or Jiri Hudler as the other winger.
“Does Hudler play on that line or does Brunnstrom play on that line or does Brunnstrom play where he was and Eaves plays with Abby (Justin Abdelkader) and Helmer (Darren Helm)?” Babcock said. “Or does Eaves move up? That’s why I’ve got time. I’m going to spend the afternoon figuring it out.”
Forward Todd Bertuzzi skated this morning as well with a visor however he’ll still be out for at least the next two games as he continues to deal with swelling in the ear and a sinus infection.
Jakub Kindl will remain in the lineup as well on defense while Mike Commodore will be a healthy scratch.
The Wings will go with Jimmy Howard (6-3-1, 1.79 GAA, .928 save percentage) for his seventh consecutive start.
Ref: Mlive.com,
