Rafalski will play Saturday against Nashville, while Datsyuk is questionable

When Pavel Datsyuk and Brian Rafalski were escorted to the Red Wings locker room at two different points in the third period on Thursday night, I assumed the worst.

Thankfully the worst is not an issue here.

General manager Ken Holland met with reporters this morning and alerted them that both Datsyuk and Rafalski will miss no significant playing time.

Holland told the Free Press that Rafalski is “planning to play in Nashville. Pav is sore but possible for tomorrow.”

Disaster avoided.

Rafalski was knocked into the boards by Antoine Vermette and he appeared to fall awkwardly on his right knee late in the third period on Thursday night.

Datsyuk suffered a lower body injury when he checked Nash midway through the third period. The Wings will continue to monitor Datsyuk day-to-day.

Jiri Hudler will miss Saturday’s game due to flu-like symptoms but should be fine to go against Pittsburgh come Monday night.

The Wings will travel to Nashville to play the Predators Saturday at 8:00 p.m.