Brian Rafalski will play tonight against Phoenix
Rafalski will return to the lineup tonight on the third pairing. He will play some time on the powerplay but we do not have specific lines as of yet. For the lines at even strength, click here.
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Rafalski could be back in the lineup, says Ansar Khan of Mlive.com:
Defenseman Brian Rafalski practiced with the team during the trip and said his status for Monday likely would be determined after the morning skate.
Rafalski had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Oct. 12. If he can’t play tonight, he was certain he would return Thursday at home against Edmonton.
It seems like either Rafalski will play tonight or Thursday against the Oilers
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Detroit Red Wings star defenseman Brian Rafalski will have his knee scoped today. Both recently extended head coach Mike Babcock and Rafalski believe the injury will not take long to recover from.
From Babcock, via Ansar Khan of Mlive.com:
“He had a little pain and it hadn’t reacted the way it had in the past,” Babcock said. “He had the back surgery this summer and the quads probably aren’t as strong, so his knee, which he hurt when he was 18, suddenly there’s more wear and tear.
“They decided they needed to have a quick look and clean it up. Don’t think it’s very long, but don’t know until you get in there.’’
In the meantime, Doug Janik will be recalled from the Grand Rapid Griffins of the AHL and the lines will look like this:
Pavel Datsyuk – Henrik Zetterberg – Tomas Holmstrom
Johan Franzen – Valtteri Filppula – Todd Bertuzzi
Jiri Hudler – Mike Modano – Dan Cleary
Drew Miller – Darren Helm- Patrick Eaves
Nicklas Lidstrom- BradStuart
Janik- Niklas Kronwall
Jakub Kindl – Ruslan Salei
Jimmy Howard
Chris Osgood
As always we will continue to monitor the situation as long as Rafalski remains out. Make sure to follow us on Twitter @dailyfaceoff and let your voice be heard below.