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That didn’t take long: Datsyuk hurt in preseason opener (Updated)

Boston Bruins v Detroit Red Wings - Game Three

Pavel Datsyuk

Getty Images

After the Detroit Red Wings set a franchise record with 421 man games lost due to injuries in 2013-14, it’s fair to say that they’re hoping for better luck this season. So far they haven’t got it.

Pavel Datsyuk had an assist and netted the game-winning goal in Detroit’s 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh in its preseason opener. However, he also absorbed a big hit from Rob Scuderi in the third period that caused Datsyuk to leave the game with an injured shoulder. He will be re-evaluated today, per MLive.com.

It’s too early to say whether or not this injury is meaningful. It was a preseason game, so it wouldn’t take a whole lot to trigger a player getting yanked from it for precautionary reasons. In addition to that, the fact that it was his shoulder, rather than a resurgence of the knee injury that bothered him last season is something of a silver lining. Still, Datsyuk hasn’t played in more than 70 contests in the last three 82-game seasons and this is hardly an encouraging start.

Detroit also recently lost top prospect Anthony Mantha due to a broken tibia.

Update: Looks as though Datsyuk will miss at least the next week, per MLive...

Pavel Datsyuk said he’ll have an MRI on shoulder, likely on Wednesday. Doesn’t seem to think it’s serious. Estimated he’d be out a week.

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) September 23, 2014

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