The Detroit Red Wings face at least their next game, and maybe longer in the stretch run, without two key centers.
The team has enjoyed relatively good health for much of the season, but neither Michael Rasmussen (blow to the head) nor Andrew Copp (undisclosed) will be available when the Wings (29-22-6) play at the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday.
Coach Todd McLellan said Monday the Wings were still waiting on more information regarding Copp, but, “at this point, it looks like it’ll be a little longer term than we anticipated.”
Rasmussen is listed as day-to-day.
The Wings called up center Sheldon Dries on Monday to have available for the trip, but they also have Christian Fischer, who can play center or wing, available. Tyler Motte returned to the lineup Sunday to offset losing Copp, placed on injured reserve Monday.
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“An unfortunate thing for one leads to opportunity for another,” McLellan said. “Cliché, but a coach is going to say that, that’s just what we do. It’s the truth. We have what we have.”
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Both were injured over the weekend: Copp in a scrum during Saturday’s game, at home against the Wild, and Rasmussen when he absorbed a high hit from Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras on Sunday. There was no penalty on Zegras — officials told McLellan they didn’t see the hit — but the NHL Department of Player Safety held a hearing for what was described as “interference on” Rasmussen and swiftly suspended Zegras for three games.
