Backup goalie Joey MacDonald relieved Jimmy Howard in Detroit's 2-1 loss to Chicago Sunday. Photo credit: Sports Overdose
The injury-plagued Red Wings called up three members of the Grand Rapids Griffins Monday after suffering another setback in a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Forward Chris Connor, defenseman Doug Janik and goaltender Jordan Pearce will suit up to fill the gaps in the Wings lineup following recent injuries.
Starting netminder Jimmy Howard (lower-body) and defenseman Jakub Kindl (upper-body) both left early in the game Sunday and neither returned.
Coach Mike Babcock said Kindl was sore prior to the game and shouldn’t have played, though his injury should be day-to-day.
Following the 2-1 loss, Howard said he didn’t think his injury was too severe in an interview with the Detroit News.
“All I can tell you is it’s a lower-body injury and I’m day to day,” Howard said. “I don’t think it’s too serious. I’ll get it looked at tomorrow morning and go from there.”
Howard went to the locker room for the first intermission after saving four of five Blackhawks shots and backup Joey MacDonald replaced him to start the second.
The starting goaltender missed two weeks in February recovering from a broken finger and could potentially miss more time with his most recent injury.
Defenseman Niklas Kronwall said the team has been fortunate with injuries this season, though they can’t use injuries as an excuse for losing.
“Injuries are going to happen and we have to fight through it,” he said. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. Whatever guys have to do to get ready they have to do and we have to look forward to the next game.”
The Wings were already without center Pavel Datsyuk (knee), Jonathan Ericsson (wrist) and Nicklas Lidstrom (ankle) Sunday.
Detroit will hope to bounce back Tuesday with they take on the Philadelphia Flyers on the road at 7 p.m.
