Patrick Sharp Injured In Blackhawks’ Loss To Red Wings

Published: 9^th Jan 12 12:47 am

Randy Holt
Randy Holt

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Rob Grabowski-US PRESSWIRE

The Blackhawks managed to get a point on Sunday night against the hated Detroit Red Wings. The Wings won a physical game with an overtime goal, courtesy of Pavel Datsyuk, during an absolute mess in front of the net, that left Corey Crawford under defenseman Steve Montador.

That wasn’t really the story, though. The story wasn’t the putrid officiating throughout the game, which is some sort of epidemic around the league right now, either. Nor was it the fact that the Blackhawks remained winless in 2012 and now reside in third place in the Central Division.

The big concern is the injury to Patrick Sharp, who left the game after scoring a goal in the first period that put the Hawks up 2-0.

Of course, everything is pending a reassessment on Monday, but Sharp did not return after scoring his goal. He was not on the bench and was listed as having, what else, an upper-body injury.

Sharp has appeared in every game for the Hawks this season after missing all of training camp and the entire preseason after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. He also missed a stretch at the end of last year with a knee injury, but has proven to be one of the Blackhawks’ more durable players.

Still, given the Hawks’ recent struggles, I’m not sure if they can afford to have Sharp out of the lineup for an extended period of time. His first period goal was his 20th of the season, one of seven players in the league to hit that mark and one of two on the Hawks. Jonathan Toews is the other.

We should know more about the injury on Monday, when Sharp is re-evaluated. Hopefully it turns out to be more precautionary and we see Sharp back in the lineup at some point this week. If not, look for panic to set in among the Hawks faithful.