didn’t Babcock say Ericsson would definitely play the next game?

not according to… http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/appendicitis/#treatment

Full recovery from surgery takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Limiting physical activity during this time allows tissues to heal.

would the doctors really clear him to play three days after an appendectomy?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/28/09 at 01:01 PM ET

Paul, I’m guessing that the 4 to 6 weeks estimate is based on the old-style surgery, and not the scope. I’m also guessing it applies to an average person of average size and average physical condition, not a professional athlete.

Lilja recovered from the scope-style appendectomy in 2 or 3 days, don’t remember which.

Unless they couldn’t do the scope, I would think he’ll be ready to play.

The caveat might be that with games one and two being back-to-back, they may want to keep him out of game one, then play him in game two through the rest of the series, rather than risk him doubly stressing himself by playing game one and two without normal rest between.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 05/28/09 at 01:05 PM ET

would the doctors really clear him to play three days after an appendectomy?

Hey it’s not like he had a concussion or anything!  Prolly good till the first check.

The mystery reamains Dats.  A lot of time off for no broken bones.  Curiouser and curiouser…..

Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 05/28/09 at 01:07 PM ET

Where’s our resident doc, the viking dude.  He hasn’t been around lately.  And Khan’s story talks about Datsyuk wanting to be able to push off well enough, wants that “explosion.”  I wouldn’t know.

Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 05/28/09 at 01:08 PM ET

Good good, I’m glad Lidstrom will be playing, and I hope Datsyuk makes it for game one too. Full-strength against full-strength. Go Pens.

Posted by nrbreitkreuz on 05/28/09 at 01:19 PM ET

i just have one of those ‘we’re screwed’ feelings

Posted by Pharazon from England on 05/28/09 at 01:20 PM ET

I hope Datsyuk makes it for game one too. Full-strength against full-strength.

even if he plays, Datsyuk isn’t going to be full strength.

personally I’d rather a 100% Filpulla playing with Hossa, and Helm out there flying around with more minutes, than Datsyuk eating up 20 minutes playing hurt.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/28/09 at 01:20 PM ET

Where’s our resident doc

Paging Dr. Lalo Suarez?

Posted by Incognetis from Delaware... Hi... I'm in... Delaware on 05/28/09 at 01:26 PM ET

Yeah, I mean, the whole 100% thing is a lie in the playoffs. How many players do you think aren’t icing down a knee or a wrist, or taping up fingers and toes, or taking cortisone shots for something or other, this time of year?

If Datsyuk can play, he should play. If he can’t dangle and turn on a dime, he’s still a strong straight-away skater, with great vision, and a fantastic defensive work ethic.

Posted by Nathan from the scoresheet! on 05/28/09 at 01:33 PM ET

Datsyuk on a fourth line = Nightmare to match up against.  That’s an incredible idea, whoever came up with it…

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 05/28/09 at 01:35 PM ET

Paging Dr. Lalo Suarez?

Ya had to go there…. 

Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 05/28/09 at 01:57 PM ET

Xega wrote on May 27, 2009 8:56 PM:
” Bruce, I just saw that Erricson had surgery for acute appendicitis and saw that you had asked about recovery from surgery on RWC since the wings PR department stated he would be in for the next game. Well recovery depends on the approach used, how long he had appendicitis prior to surgery, whether his appendix was ruptured, whether there was any bowel necrosis, length of the procedure, time for return of bowel function and physical status of the patient. If done laproscopically on a patient that is very physically fit and has a quick recovery of bowel function I could see him coming back in three days. With the big risk being of ripping out his sutures. There are a couple of surgeons who also do a no external incisions appendectomy where they go in laproscopically through the mouth into the stomach, make an incision in the stomach and then take out the appendix that way. With that there is no external incision and recovery is even faster. I don’t know if anyone at DMC is doing that procedure right now. “

This is from Highlander`s live blog of game 5

Posted by murphy from Slovakia on 05/28/09 at 01:59 PM ET

Jonny Ericsson removed his own appendix using a skate blade because it was about to explode.  Jonny needs to monitor it because only Jonny can smother the explosion and save humanity.

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago...nope, still not over it. on 05/28/09 at 02:00 PM ET

@Sullyosis

Someone came up with it before I’m sure, but Bylsma has been playing Crosby and Malkin as the fourth line centres for I believe the last seven games, maybe five, since Gonchar came back.

Posted by nrbreitkreuz on 05/28/09 at 02:08 PM ET

I had appendicitis a few years back.  I played juniors (B) then and was only out for less than a week and had an external incision.  The cut was so small, and healed really quick.  Was more tired than anything.  With the doc’s that take care of the pro’s and how amazingly in shape these guys are, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was back very quick.  The surgery nowadays isn’t at all like what it used to be.

Posted by graf from A2 on 05/28/09 at 02:11 PM ET

Good good, I’m glad Lidstrom will be playing, and I hope Datsyuk makes it for game one too. Full-strength against full-strength. Go Pens.

Posted by nrbreitkreuz on 05/28/09 at 02:19 PM ET

Ericsson?  Draper?

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/28/09 at 02:33 PM ET

Lilja recovered from the scope-style appendectomy in 2 or 3 days, don’t remember which.

Lilja’s surgery was on a Tuesday and he played on Friday.

He’s a tough cookie, though.  I don’t think we should expect Ericsson back until game 2, maybe 3.  That said, I won’t be all that surprised to see him Saturday if he plays (assuming it was laproscopic).

Posted by shanetx on 05/28/09 at 02:47 PM ET

Okay Baroque, fair enough. You could put Zigomanis in there for the Penguins.

Though it sounds like Ericsson may play soon enough, I’ll for sure give you Draper. Zigomanis was our fourth line centre/penalty killer before he was hurt (I think 20 games into the season, so I guess he wasn’t involved in the season like Draper was).

But I think my point is at least somewhat taken.

Posted by nrbreitkreuz on 05/28/09 at 02:53 PM ET

Jonny Ericsson removed his own appendix using a skate blade because it was about to explode.  Jonny needs to monitor it because only Jonny can smother the explosion and save humanity.

Did I ever tell you about the time Jonny Ericsson gave my wife a tubal ligation?  He was tired of her getting pregnant and felt bad for me raising illegitimate children I was fooled into believing were mine, so he cut her open, with his bare hands of course, and tied her up.  I think he used a lace from his skates to do the tying, and since then she’s only popped out 2 ‘accidental’ children which we eventually sold back to Jonny for him to eat as a pre-game meal.  He had goals in both games, just as a fun little factiod.

To Jonny Ericsson!

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 05/28/09 at 02:53 PM ET

I just heard Babcock on the radio a few minutes ago completely by accident (apparently one of my favorite rock stations has switched to sportstalk today—107.3 our of G.R.  Not happy with that… it’s not like there are many rock stations left anymore, and the ones there are—107.7 K-zoo, 106.1 Lansing—all seem to completely suck).

Anyways… he told the guy he’s guessing Lidstrom and Datsyuk both play Saturday.  I was a bit taken aback at how matter-of-factly he stated it too, so I’d take it as a good sign…

Posted by Primis on 05/28/09 at 03:03 PM ET

he told the guy he’s guessing Lidstrom and Datsyuk both play Saturday

All I’m saying is that this organ-I-zation has been a few steps ahead of everyone else in every situation they’ve been in since we’ve had this management team.  I would be completely unsurprised if both Datsyuk AND Lidstrom were 70-75% for Game 5 but were decided to sit so that they could both be 100% for Game 1.  I think the entire team knows what’s going on and they want the media, which they’ve done perfectly thus far, to say “Oh, if Datsyuk and Lidstrom can’t go, Pittsburgh cruises.”  In other words, they sat so that Gary could get his hopes up, because that’s how Kenny Holland and Mike Babcock roll.  Get your hopes up, you’re not coming close to us this year.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 05/28/09 at 03:22 PM ET

Since Game Three (which would be Friday, May 22nd), Datsyuk and Lidstrom will have rested seven days nursing their injuries.  Highly competitive men like themselves just can’t fathom not being out there with their teammates trying to win the match.  So this piece of news about Lidstrom and Datsyuk being ready to go for Saturday’s match is good news to me.

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 05/28/09 at 03:28 PM ET

I haven’t watched all of Detroit’s games, have the octopi been flung as often as in years past? I haven’t seen any mention in print or on TV this playoff.

Posted by nrbreitkreuz on 05/28/09 at 03:41 PM ET

he told the guy he’s guessing Lidstrom and Datsyuk both play Saturday.  I was a bit taken aback at how matter-of-factly he stated it too, so I’d take it as a good

that concerns me.  if they can’t dress themselves, and the coach has to do it, how can they possibly play effectively?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/28/09 at 03:45 PM ET

oh damn.  that was an epic fail at an attempted joke.  my eyes are tired and I saw “dressing” not “guessing”.  oh well…

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 05/28/09 at 03:45 PM ET

These days you just spit them out through your mouth:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyMVg54FTjM&feature=PlayList&p=C81D1E6BAA276A72&index=41

Posted by Dr. Hook on 05/28/09 at 03:59 PM ET