Already missing forwards Saku Koivu and Ryan Carter, left wing Joffrey Lupul sat out the Ducks’ practice Friday with an undisclosed lower-body injury.
Lupul said the injury is not related to the recurring back stiffness that sidelined him in the preseason, but “wouldn’t rule myself out for tomorrow.”
The news was better for Koivu, who was able to stay on the ice for the duration of practice for the first time since straining his groin, an injury that’s forced him to miss five games and counting.
Carter and defenseman James Wisniewski are now both wearing protective boots after absorbing shots in their feet. Neither practiced Friday, and Carter has yet to take the ice since sustaining his injury in practice eight days ago.
Wisniewski was hit by a shot in the first period of Thursday’s 4-3 win over Tampa Bay and said he will re-evaluate his availability after the morning skate Saturday. Fortunately, Wisniewski said the swelling in his foot subsided significantly overnight, but not enough to allow him to practice.
“Today is 10 times better,” he said. “Hopefully with some more treatment and just icing it all day, I’m looking to try to come play tomorrow.”
Defenseman Steve Eminger, who came down with back spasms prior to Thursday’s game, also did not practice Friday. His status for tomorrow also remains in doubt.Asked if the team might recall another defenseman prior to game time, head coach Randy Carlyle said “that’ll be an option that we’ll have to wait and get from our medical people. With Eminger and Wisniewski that obviously leaves us down one defenseman.”