Lidstrom out up to three weeks

Feb 20, 2008 - 8:25 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings could be without All-Star defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom well into the month of March.

Lidstrom told reporters Wednesday afternoon that he likely has a sprained MCL in his right knee and will be sidelined up to three weeks.

"I was hoping for something shorter," said Lidstrom, who underwent an MRI before addressing the media. "But right now (the doctors) are saying three weeks. I still haven't seen the MRI just yet, but they think it's a sprained MCL."

Detroit's captain, Lidstrom suffered the injury in the first period of Monday's 4-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The Swedish blue-liner was sent into the boards after sustaining a hard check from Colorado right wing Ian Laperriere.

Two days later, Lidstrom admitted that he still is experiencing discomfort.

"It's a little sore walking around," he said. "I've got a brace on it. It's a little better than I thought it would be, but it's still sore."

Lidstrom struggled to stand up and needed assistance to skate off the ice, causing speculation that he might have a head injury.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock reportedly was unhappy with Laperriere for the hit, arguing that a superstar like Lidstrom should not have to worry about protecting his head.

But Lidstrom, a five-time Norris Trophy winner, dismissed the notion that Laperriere crossed the line with the hit, which did not result in a penalty.

"I don't think it was a dirty hit, but I do think he did follow through with his elbow," he said. "It should have been a two-minute minor, but I didn't think it was overly a dirty hit.

"I know what type of player (Laperriere) is. I'm not saying he's a dirty player; he plays hard. On plays like that, he's going to finish his checks."

Lidstrom, 37, is enjoying another outstanding season with the Red Wings (42-15-5), who have a league-leading 89 points and own a comfortable 18-point cushion atop the Central Division standings.

A 16-year veteran, Lidstrom has seven goals and 50 assists - tops among NHL defensemen - in 62 games this season for the Red Wings, who already are without injured blue-liners Brian Rafalski (groin) and Niklas Kronwall (shoulder).

The Red Wings have eight games over the next 21 days - a difficult stretch over which Lidstrom feels several players will be forced to step up.

"It's going to be a great opportunity for other players to get more ice time, get a chance to play a little bit more," he said. "Hopefully they can respond and get a chance to show the coaching staff what they can do."