"Losing Willy was a blow to us. He was playing way more minutes than we expected. There is no sense worrying about the guys who aren't available. We have to dig in." -- Mike Babcock
Right wing Jason Williams fell awkwardly behind the net after getting tangled with Finger and had to be helped off the ice. He was diagnosed with a fractured right fibula.
Williams told NHL.com after Toronto's 5-1 victory at Air Canada Centre that if he doesn't need surgery he'll likely be out 6-8 weeks, but he has to consult with the doctors when he gets back to Detroit before a timetable is given. Surgery might be necessary.
He fell backwards with his right leg apparently caught underneath him. He couldn't even put his right skate on the ice as he was helped off.
"I knew it right away," Williams said.
Detroit is already playing without wing Johan Franzen (torn ACL), center Valtteri Filppula (broken right wrist) and defenseman Andreas Lilja (post-concussion symptoms). Patrick Eaves also missed Saturday's game with a bruised foot he injured blocking a shot in Thursday's 2-1 shootout win over San Jose.
"Losing Willy was a blow to us," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "He was playing way more minutes than we expected. There is no sense worrying about the guys who aren't available. We have to dig in."
Contact Dan Rosen at [email protected]
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