Nicklas Lidstrom Listed as Game-Time Decision

By all accounts, Lidstrom had a great skate this morning. The Red Wings captain was notably more agile and looks to be finally past that nagging ankle injury. Following the optional practice, Lidstrom told Fox Sports’s Dana Wajiki that he will be a game-time decision. He wants to make sure his ankle holds up which could mean he sits tonight before returning Saturday. Regardless, one of the game’s best players will return shortly, displacing rookie d-man Brendan Smith.

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3/20/12: COULD NICKLAS LIDSTROM RETURN THIS WEEK?… That’s the question Chuck Pleiness of Red Wings Front recently asked after watching Lidstrom skate this morning. The captain has been moving around a good deal better than before and reported no soreness. However, he would hedge his comment by claiming he will take it on a day-to-day basis. Nevertheless, should Lidstrom feel better, he could be a player later this week.

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3/16/12: Right now, there appears to be no end in sign for future Hall-of-Fame defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. According to Kevin Allen of USA Today, the captain was sent home from the Red Wings’ current road trip as he remains in a great deal of pain. After skating on Tuesday, he was reportedly held off the ice due to soreness — a feeling he did not expect despite his age. Lidstrom will be reassessed on Monday but it is very clear that his body simply doesn’t bounce back the way it used to.

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3/13/12: Yesterday, Lidstrom took a few twirls before heading off the ice. It was the first time he attempted to practice with the full team, and by all means it was not an encouraging sign.

According to Ansar Khan of Mlive.com, the Hall-of-Fame defender will miss at least the next two games as he continues to recover from a bruised ankle. Lidstrom himself later added that he needed at least two good practices before having the confidence to play at his elevated level. If all goes well, he should have the opportunity to skate on Friday and Saturday before returning to game action.

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3/8/12: Nick Lidstrom got onto the ice this morning according to Bill Roose of DetroitRedWings.com, via Twitter. And while he only took a few twirls, it is certainly a step in the right direction to get the captain back on the ice. Sounds like Lidstrom could get back in the lineup in a week or two.

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3/5/12: Lidstrom is expected to miss his fourth consecutive game on Tuesday according to Chuck Pleiness of Red Wings Front. The captain remains day-to-day with a bone bruise but and will be reevaluated today. Expect a further update on your number one defender shortly.

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3/1/12: Lidstrom was notably absent from today’s practice which caused speculation on his playing status tomorrow. Luckily for us, Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press cleared all that up, via Twitter, by announcing Lidstrom will miss the next two games. His next possible game is Tuesday, March 6th against the Philadelphia Flyers. We expect to have an update in advance of that tilt.

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Detroit Red Wings stalwart Nicklas Lidstrom has a swollen ankle and will not play tonight according to Ansar Khan of Mlive.com. Khan would later explain that the X-rays came back negative meaning the captain hopes to return as soon as this Friday against the Minnesota Wild.

Without Lidstrom, the Red Wings will field a blue line consisting of Ian White, Niklas Kronwall, Brad Stuart, Brendan Smith, Jakub Kindl and Doug Janik. It might be safe to take the over tonight…