It was worse than we knew.
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Bruce MacLeod has a brief post detailing his impressions of Fabian Brunnstrom, who he just met. It sounds like he may not be as full of himself as his demand to be made a top six forward suggests.
At the NHL FanHouse, Eric McErlain looks at the possible retirement of four NHL greats.
Update (4:24 PM): This isn’t injury related, but doesn’t exactly merit a separate post: via Bruce McLeod comes the shocking news that Jose Theodore will start Game 4. - Matt
According to Ansar Khan, Paul Stastny (knee) is not expected back this series regardless of what happens.
Also, Ryan Smyth (foot) is “doubtful” for tomorrow night after not skating today.
Lastly, Peter Forsberg (groin) did not skate, but the Avs are hoping he’ll play in Game 4.
The guys at Orland Kurtenblog ripped into Cody McLeod for his idiotic decision to taunt the Wings with the traditional post-anthem octopus just prior to the start of Game 2 on Saturday.
It’s worth a look, though it’s a little on the crude side and not entirely Red Wings-friendly (the octopus throwing tradition is not stupid. It’s certainly better than the Canucks’ tradition of having ugly jerseys.).
So says the anonymous CBC playoffs blogger. Quenneville is obviously banking on Theodore fulfilling his potential, but given the guy’s performance in this series thus far, it’s just foolish.
The author also dredges up the 1999 series in which the Avs came back to win in six after falling down 2-0 to Detroit. Yes, that was a spectacularly bad collapse for the Wings. However, nothing the Wings have shown thus far this season hints at that kind of thing happening again.
John Niyo has the latest on the NHL’s decision to quash a distinctive piece of Detroit hockey heritage, the octopus twirl. IwoCPO responds.
Update (4:46 PM): Forsberg is maintaining that he’s “day-to-day” and that a decision on his status for Game 2 has not been made. - Matt
George Malik summarizes a Joel Quenneville press conference in which the Colorado coach says first line winger Wojtek Wolski is unlikely to return during this series due to an “upper body injury.”
Peter Forsberg is “questionable” for Game 2 with the groin injury that kept him out of Game 1.
Both injuries are obviously bad news for the Avs, but gret news for the Wings.
According to Macomb Daily reporter Chuck Pleiness (via Bruce MacLeod), Pavel Datsyuk opted out of practice today. The official story is that he’s ill.
MacLeod says “it’s pretty clear that Datsyuk is banged up,” and goes on to point out that it hasn’t stopped him from being effective. As long as that’s true, I don’t mind him missing practices.
Update (4:49 PM): Bruce MacLeod relates that he had the three finalists finishing 1) Datsyuk 2) Madden and 3) Zetterberg on his ballot. - Matt
Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk have been named two of the three Selke Trophy finalists. John Madden of New Jersey is the other. Congratulations to them both. I just hope the votes don’t get split between them.
