Detroit... Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg will be out of the Detroit lineup for a minimum of two weeks after suffering a slight left shoulder separation during last night’s 3-0 Red Wings victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena. Zetterberg was injured in a first period collision with Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund. He left the game at that point and did not return. Further tests performed after last night’s game revealed the slight separation.
The year 2009 can't end soon enough for the Detroit Red Wings.
It seems as if by losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals at home in June began a horrific chain of bad luck for this franchise. Jiri Hudler bolts for the KHL. Then early on in the regular season, Johan Franzen goes down with a torn ACL. The injuries have continued to persist, but somehow the Red Wings have been able to hold things together and keep a playoff spot within their grasp.
So on a morning where Red Wing fans should be enjoying the efforts of Jimmy Howard, who earned his first career shutout last night or celebrating Detroit's 4th consecutive win and return to a playoff position (8th in the West), most of them are likely stressed over the extent of Henrik Zetterberg's shoulder injury sustained last night in Detroit's 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Further information will likely be provided by the club later this morning indicating the length of Zetterberg's absence from the lineup. Needless to say, there are plenty of fingers crossed in Motown at the moment. An extended period of time with no Zetterberg is never a good thing, but especially given the current injury situation, such an absence could really be the final blow to Detroit's continued fight to maintain a playoff position.
But let me play Devil's Advocate for a second. Could this injury mess be a blessing in disguise for a hockey team that's core group has played an infinite amount of hockey over the past 3 seasons? If the Red Wings are able to manufacture enough points to garner a playoff spot, I've got to believe the extended layoffs for Franzen, Valteri Filppula, Niklas Kronwall, Daniel Cleary and now perhaps Zetterberg won't hurt so long as Detroit qualifies to play games in mid-April.
Until we get word on Zetterberg, time to focus on the positive for Detroit. After a slow start, Jimmy Howard's confidence continues to grow this season as he was stellar last night in earning his first career NHL shutout. The Red Wings sit in a playoff spot today for the first time in close to a month.
Things aren't so bad for you, Red Wing fans.....so long as you keep your fingers crossed. 2010 can't come soon enough.....
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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