Derek Lalonde provides an update on the health of Moritz Seider and Ville Husso
Derek Lalonde provides an update on the health of Moritz Seider and Ville Husso
Though last night's victory was an overwhelming one for the Red Wings, it wasn't a painless one.
Defenseman Moritz Seider blocked five shots over the course of the evening and appeared in visible pain at different points throughout the game. In part because of those blows, Seider played just 17:49 for the game, down from his season average of 22:14.
However, fortunately for Seider and the Red Wings, it does not sound as though whatever wear and tear those blocks caused will force him out of the lineup. Though Detroit did not practice today, Derek Lalonde did speak with the media, and of Seider, he said, "He should be good to go tomorrow. They took a look at his lower body after taking a puck there, and it was negative, so he should be good to go."
On a more long-term note, Lalonde was also asked whether he expects Ville Husso to return from his injury before the conclusion of the regular season. To that, he replied, "I think so. We're still in that week-to-week. Every week we get a better idea of that exact date. I'm hopeful...It might be later into the season with not much time left, but I think he will be available at some point before the season ends."
Husso was injured in the first period of the Red Wings' February 13th game in Edmonton, which was his first appearance since being hurt in Detroit's December 18th game with the Ducks.
That Lalonde expects to have Husso available before the end of the season is of course a good thing for the Red Wings, but it does also raise questions. To state the obvious, it wouldn't be easy to re-integrate Husso into the lineup if Detroit is fighting for its playoff life when he is ready to return. As Husso's attempt at a return against the Oilers shows, it's not easy to get a goalie back into live game action after an extended stint on the shelf due to injury, and that challenge could only be compounded by a playoff race. Still, the possibility of a healthy Husso does give the Red Wings one more option in net for the stretch run.
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