From Avs Wednesday practice
At this rate, will the Colorado Avalanche even have enough players to dress for Game 4? The Red Wings can eliminate the Avalanche Thursday night with one more victory. And they very well might, considering the amount of vital players the Avalanche will be without. Coach Joel Quenneville said after Wednesday's practice the Avalanche will be without high-scoring forward Paul Stasny (knee) for the remainder of the series, and added forward Ryan Smyth (foot), who missed Game 3, is doubtful for Game 4. Stasny hurt himself Tuesday on a collision with Pavel Datsyuk in the first period. Stasny never returned to the game. Smyth blocked a shot Saturday in Game 2 and there's speculation he may have broken his foot. The Avalanche lost forward Wojtek Wolski for the entire series in Game 1 with an upper body injury. Then, there's the daily Peter Forsberg drama. Forsberg (groin) made his first appearance of the series Tuesday in Game 3, and despite seemingly re-injuring himself in the first period, did return the second half of the game. But Forsberg didn't practice Wednesday and Quenneville said Forsberg was being checked out by Avalanche trainers. Forsberg seems to be a game-time decision. "Certainly there's been some frustration in the three games," said Quenneville, from the countless injuries. The Wings will practice later this afternoon.
