Update (3:40 PM, Matt): Helene St. James has another update: apparently, Hasek may not play in the final game of the season on Saturday, though Mike Babcock wouldn’t give a reason. I think it’s more likely it’d be for rest purposes than because of an injury, but I don’t really know, obviously.
Also, Nick Lidstrom skated today, but he isn’t going to play tonight because the team decided his back is too stiff. Babcock is still saying it’s not a big deal, but it is a little worrisome that Nick’s missing these games, if this isn’t just the usual late-season smoke-and-mirrors aimed at getting stars rest. I guess Mikael Samuelsson will get some more time on the blueline while on the power play. - Matt
Update (12:30 PM, Matt): Helene St. James has a little more. Basically, the Wings still don’t like the idea of Hasek entering a game cold and without his day-long warmup regimine. Keeping Dom healthy has become more important than ever now that the playoffs are a week away and available injury recovery time is nil. - Matt
According to the Griffins newsletter and Griffinscentral, the Red Wings have called up Stefan Liv to back up Chris Osgood tonight. They must be giving Hasek a full rest tonight. That seems to be something they’re doing with quite a few players lately…
Wow, I sure got a good scare when I got home from class today. I login into my email and have a message that says the Griffins “Lose Liv.” So first I thought he was injured. Then I read that he was called up - so then of course I thought Dom was injured. Whew! Good to know that it’s just resting. I guess it definitely makes sense not to bother flying him out to Chicago just to back up Osgood.