Ansar Khan reports that Patrick Eaves will sit out another night with his sore ankle and that Brian Rafalski might miss the game due to a stiff back.
No real surprise on the first count, but the Rafalski injury sure comes out of nowhere. Apparently, it flared up in practice today. And now the whole world knows for the next time he’s in the lineup. Great.
If Rafalski has to sit out, it looks like Jakub Kindl will get the call from Grand Rapids rather than Janik. Kindl has apparently progressed this season, but still isn’t NHL-ready. By looking at him for a call up and not Janik again, the Wings are obviously interested in how unready he is. Could be interesting.
In better news, Babcock is sticking with the adjusted lines he used during the game against Dallas.
Also, Howard gets the start again tomorrow. Hope that means a motivated Osgood when he gets his next start.