Datsyuk, Draper return as Wings prepare for Stanley Cup opener
DETROIT — Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said Friday defencemen Nicklas Lidstrom and Jonathan Ericsson will play in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Babcock said Pavel Datsyuk’s status will be a last-minute decision before Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The injured Datsyuk and Kris Draper were back on the ice for Friday morning’s skate. Datsyuk, who missed the last three games of the Western Conference final with a foot injury, was not skating hard, however.
Draper missed the last two games of Detroit’s conference final victory over the Chicago Blackhawks with a groin injury.
Lidstrom, who was out with an undisclosed injury, was back skating with regular partner Brian Rafalski.
Ericsson didn’t skate as a precaution just days following surgery for acute appendicitis.
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