The news from Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan about the recovery timelines for both Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp isn't ideal.
If the Detroit Red Wings are to break their lengthy postseason drought, they're going to have to do it without the help of their top two centers for an extended period of time.
Before their evening matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan announced on Thursday afternoon that both Dylan Larkin and Andrew Copp were at least two weeks away from further evaluation.
Additionally, veteran David Perron, who was acquired one week ago from the Ottawa Senators but hasn't played since Jan. 20, is still at least a week away.
"Both Andrew and Dylan are going to be two weeks, and we'll reassess them then," McLellan said. "David Perron, we're shooting for a week."
This means both players will, at minimum, miss Detroit's next six games.
Larkin was injured last Friday against the Florida Panthers at home when he fell to the ice, his knee bending awkwardly. While he traveled with the Red Wings on their subsequent road trip, he hasn't been able to play.
Copp, who was also hurt against the Panthers, albeit on Tuesday in Florida, when former Red Wings forward Tomas Nosek fell onto his left leg during a face-off.
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The Red Wings suffered damaging regulation losses to the Panthers in both games.
On Wednesday, the Red Wings announced that John Leonard, Sheldon Dries, and Eduards Tralmaks have all been recalled from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.
They now sit in the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, with the Boston Bruins and the Columbus Blue Jackets hot on their trails. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres have taken over the first-place position in the Atlantic, while the Montreal Canadiens have moved three points ahead of Detroit.
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