Game 4 Morning Skate Update: More Health concerns for the Red Wings?

Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned, three keys players (not including Pavel Datsyuk) for the Red Wings are battling through injuries as the Red Wings look to go up 3-1 in the series. Read more for the latest.

We’re hearing Tomas Holmstrom (back) and Brian Rafalski (shoulder) would not play in game 4, if tonight was a regular season game.

Holmstrom took a cross check to his back in game 3 and was getting treatment on it this morning. He did not look 100% on the ice this morning.

Also, word is Brian Rafalski suffered a shoulder injury in game 2 and he remains bothered by it. Pittsburgh needs be aggressive on the forecheck and hit Rafalski at every opportunity.

Rumors have circulating that Chris Osgood strained his left knee in the second period of Tuesday’s game. He looked fine in the morning skate but in reviewing the tape, he did make an awkward save in the second, where he looked like he had some discomfort.

Pavel Datsyuk’s skating continues to improve. Where he will fit into the lineup remains to be seen but he took a few reps with Valtteri Filppula and Marian Hossa with Filppula playing center on one breakout scenario. The rest of the time he was with the teams 5th line.

Datsyuk will take the pregame skate and will be a game time decision. One thing for certain is that he will not be 100% if he plays.