Detroit’s Datsyuk and Draper to miss Game 1 of Stanley Cup final

From the Score:

Star forward Pavel Datsyuk and veteran Kris Draper will not be in the lineup Saturday night when the defending-champion Detroit Red Wings take on Pittsburgh in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final.

Coach Mike Babcock confirmed that the two centres would sit out after both skated Saturday morning at Joe Louis Arena.

Datsyuk has a suspected broken foot while Draper has a groin injury.

Babcock said defencemen Nicklas Lidstrom and Jonathan Ericsson would return after missing the last two games of the Western Conference final with health problems. Lidstrom’s injury was undisclosed while Ericsson had his appendix removed.

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If your Detroit I suspect kicking yourself somewhat for not losing Game 5 to Chicago.  While no team is going to lose on purpose the Wings have to be wondering what an extra week of recovery would have ment for their team.  While you won’t hear too many excuses from Detroit I cannot imagine that this didn’t pass through their minds.  There is no question that Datsyuk absence will be felt a lot more against the Penguins than it was against the Hawks.