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Red Wings will be without Ericsson for at least four weeks

San Jose Sharks v Detroit Red Wings - Game Three

DETROIT - MAY 4: Jonathan Ericsson #52 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the San Jose Sharks in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 4, 2011 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

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Jonathan Ericsson was on the ice for just 6:44 minutes on Saturday before he exited the game early in the second period. We learned afterwards that Ericsson will miss a minimum of four weeks because of a fractured wrist. With about a month and a half left in 2011-12, it looks like the best the Red Wings can hope for is that Ericsson returns in time to shake off the rust before the postseason.

Detroit isn’t in any real danger of missing the playoffs, but they still have plenty to play for. The St. Louis Blues are breathing down their collective necks in the race for the Central Division title and the Vancouver Canucks are simultaneously battling them for the first overall seed in the Western Conference. A strong March could be the difference between maintaining home ice advantage throughout the playoffs and finishing with the fourth seed - or worse - in the Western Conference.

On a more positive note, the loss of Ericsson will be mitigated by Detroit’s recent acquisition of defenseman Kyle Quincey.