NHL - Sports Rumors - Pittsburgh Penguins

There were signs the Detroit Red Wings were not in good health during the Stanley Cup finals. After the Pittsburgh Penguins hoisted the Stanley Cup Friday, some of the aches and pains of the Red Wings came to light, according to the Detroit News.

Nicklas Lidstrom(notes), who missed games 4 and 5 against the Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals, said he got a stick between the legs courtesy of Patrick Sharp(notes). Lidstrom returned for the start of the Cup Finals, but the pain lingered for the opening two games, according to the News.

"Having the games back to back made things tough," Lidstrom said. "It got better as the series went on."'

Pavel Datsyuk(notes) wouldn't confirm he suffered a foot injury in the Chicago series. He missed seven games, not returning until Game 5 of the Pittsburgh series.

"It's too late to talk about injuries, foot or no foot, it's fine now," said Datsyuk, who played 19:11 with one shot on goal. "I look forward not backward.

"My body doesn't feel anything right now. I feel empty. It's too late to talk about injuries."

Brian Rafalski(notes) said he wouldn't discuss his injury, which caused him to miss the first five games of the Anaheim series in the second round.

Source: Detroit News