Lidstrom out 3 weeks
Here's the story I just filed moments ago...Lidstrom looks good and seems definite about the 3 week timeframe. DETROIT â€" Nicklas Lidstrom will be out of the Red Wings line up for approximately three weeks with a sprained right knee. Lidstrom was hit hard into the boards by Colorado's Ian Laperriere in the first period and suffered the injury when he fell awkwardly onto the ice. Baseline tests thus far have ruled out a concussion, said Lidstrom, who still has one more such test Thursday. The Wings are awaiting one more set of tests concerning the knee which were done Wednesday morning, but three weeks seems like a definite timeframe. Wings doctors don't expect to find anything more than a sprained ligament. "I was hoping for something shorter but right now they're saying three weeks," said Lidstrom, who was wearing a brace on the knee. "They think it's just a sprain. It's a little sore walking around. "It'll be different (not playing). I won't be making the road trips, sitting at home and watching, and that'll be different." Lidstrom didn't think Laperriere's hit was dirty, although Laperriere did follow through with an elbow. With Lidstrom out, and the status of defenseman Brian Rafalski (groin) and Niklas Kronwall (clavicle) both day to day, coach Mike Babcock said the Wings have called up defenseman Jonathan Ericsson from Grand Rapids. Dominik Hasek (hip flexor) remained off the ice and Babcock said there's no timetable on a return for Hasek until the goalie gets on the ice. Dallas Drake was given the day off to spend with his family, and Babcock gave Pavel Datsyuk a day off for rest. Babcock also also told Henrik Zetterberg to stay away Wednesday, but Zetterberg came to the rink anyway. "Sometimes they just don't listen," Babcock said.
