Detroit Red Wings' forward Elmer Soderblom took a puck to the face in the second game of the team's home and home series with the Washington Capitals, having to briefly exit the contest. Soderblom was injured while trying to intercept the puck near the boards, his stick inadvertently serving as a ramp. The puck caused Soderblom to begin bleeding and left him on ice for a minute, requiring help off of the ice.
The 6'8 left wing had scored his first goal in over a month in the Red Wings 5-2 win inside Capital One Arena in the first game of the back to back series. The Swedish born Soderblom has 3 points so far in 23 games, and his mother was in attendance for both games as part of the Red Wings "Mom's Celebration Weekend." Soderblom has been primarily playing on the Red Wings third line with rookie center Nate Danielson and Marco Kasper, providing some much needed size and physicality to the line.
Soderblom returned in the second period between Red Wings' goals as they took a 2-1 lead over the Capitals at Little Ceasars Arena. Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin suffered a similar injury in the Red Wings' Dec. 6 win over the Seattle Kraken. Larkin was struck in the face off a deflection near the Kraken's net in the second period and exited the game, returning later in the third period after having been stitched up and wearing a partial facial visor.
Detroit forward John Leonard, in his fourth game with the main club since his call up from the Grand Rapids Griffins, gave the Red Wings the lead and now has 3 points in four games. Leonard has been playing in the spot of injured Red Wings forward Patrick Kane on the second line.
(This is the updated version of an article written about Soderblom's injury in the first period.)