RED WINGS VS. DUCKS
SERIES STATUS: RED WINGS LEAD SERIES, 3-2
- GAME 1: DET 3, ANA 2 | PHOTOS | WATCH | REACTION
- GAME 2: ANA 4, DET 3 (3OT) | PHOTOS | WATCH | MORE
- GAME 3: ANA 2, DET 1 | PHOTOS | WATCH | REACTION
- GAME 4: DET 6, ANA 3 | PHOTOS | WATCH | REACTION
- GAME 5: DET 4, ANA 1 | PHOTOS | WATCH | REACTION
- GAME 6: May 12 at Anaheim, 10:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
- *GAME 7: May 14 at Detroit, 7:00 p.m. VERSUS, TSN
- * if necessary
Rafalski has not played since the series-clinching Game 4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first round. The 35-year-old puck-moving defender, who normally plays on the top pairing with captain Nicklas Lidstrom, took part in his first full practice Monday.
"I think he's going to be in," Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "We'll see how he reacts. We think he's playing so we'll see."
Rafalski did not meet with the media Tuesday morning. In his second season with his hometown team, the Dearborn, Mich., native had 10 goals and 49 assists for a career-high 59 points in 78 games.
"Of course, he's going to give us a boost, especially on the power play," Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "We've been missing him a little bit there. Hopefully we can take advantage of him [being] back in the lineup.
"He's also got a great first pass and is very solid defensively, positioning-wise. We look forward to having him back and hopefully we can take advantage of his skills."
In the four-game sweep of the Blue Jackets, Rafalski had 1 goal and 2 assists along with a plus-5 rating.
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