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Well, the aftermath of Game One of these NHL playoffs is being felt in Detroit. The Red Wings lost Steve Yzerman for at least the weekend, Coach Scotty Bowman told Stoney and Wojo on WDFN radio (am 1130). The team is calling it an ankle sprain but WDFN was reporting this morning that the Captain had broken his fibula, the non wieght-bearing bone in his leg. Which leg is injured has not been disclosed. Winger Brendan Shanahan is also out, according to Bowman, with a fractured foot after he blocked a shot in the third period Wednesday night. Scotty told Stoney and Wojo that it was the top of the foot, and that players have played with the injury. It is also not known which foot, after all it IS the playoffs and Scotty Bownman we're talking about here! It is also unknown when Shanny can return to the lineup. Pat Verbeek and Boyd Devereaux are expected to play Saturday in thier place, and Forward Jason Williams is said to be re-called from Cincinatti.
So what effect do these injuries have on the Wings? Well, obviuosly the team would be much better off with them in the lineup. The Wings can and will beat the Kings, with or without them, however, it may take a game or two more than it would have before. I don't think the Kings can compete with Detroit even without two of their best players. The problems will really being in the second round, no matter who the Wings face. If they play Dallas, they really need one if not both of them to get past the Stars. If it were St. Louis or even San Jose, I believe the same would apply. The bottom line is, to advance much further than the first round, the Wings are gonna need their big guns healthy, and contributing!!
Tell me what you think on the Message Board!!!