Update (1:45 PM): Babcock, through Chris Johnston: I think everyone’s ready to go. Pavel (Datsyuk) is the only last-minute decision.” - Matt
Update (12:43 PM): George’s got an audio clip from Draper in which he talks about his status and says to expect him to play. Meg suggests he’s taking it easy in practice in order to avoid tweaking anything. - Matt
Update (12:36 PM): Just now remembered Lilja’s lightning-fast return from an appendectomy earlier this year. So, Ericsson could be back in time for Game 1, assuming his recovery time is similar. - Matt
Update (12:17 PM): From his Twitter account, good news from Johnston: Lidstrom’s looking good. And bad news from Johnston: Datsyuk not so much.
Here’s hoping “ginger” means “careful,” not “still in pain.” Realistically, though, I have to say that Sunday really is looking like the more likely return date of the first possible two. - Matt
Update (11:56 AM): I initially ignored the part of today’s practice reports that included Lilja’s presence on the ice because he’s been skating with the team for a while now and by all accounts was no closer to returning.
Well, MacLeod now suggests he might be ready to return since he’s skating with Lebda on the third pairing. Unless Ericsson really is going to be back for Game 3, that may indicate Chelios and Meech are losing out to Lilja, who hasn’t played since February.
On his blog, MacLeod leans toward “filling in for Ericsson,” but could Jonny really be back that fast? - Matt
Bruce MacLeod reports that Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Draper are on the ice in practice this morning. From yesterday’s reports on Nick’s status, that part of the news isn’t surprising. Apparently he’s “practicing as though he’s playing,” and skating with Rafalski.
Draper’s presence is more so, though I’m guessing he’s still ruled out for Game 1.
As for Datsyuk, based on CP writer Chris Johnston’s Twitter report, it sounds like he’s just testing his foot again. And it doesn’t sound like great news. In his latest Twitter update, MacLeod says he’s filling in on the Filppula line. Still, nothing’s certain yet. Apparently Game statuses will be updated this afternoon. So we’ll know more later, but even that likely won’t be the final word on Pavel.
Ericsson, obviously, isn’t skating. “Next game” was probably very optimistic.
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