Wings have dodged flu bug so far

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Edmonton, Alberta -- Like with their goal scoring, the Red Wings know it's just a matter of time before they get hit with the nasty H1N1 (swine) flu virus that's spreading the continent.

"You can't stop it," Red Wings Kirk Maltby said, "you can only hope to contain it."

No Detroit player has yet manifested signs of the flu, but the Wings have followed the disease around. They were in Colorado last week, where backup goalie Peter Budaj was diagnosed with the swine flu.

The Red Wings then followed the Edmonton Oilers team into Vancouver. No team has been hit harder than the Oilers. More than half their roster is sniffling and wheezing, though only one player has been officially diagnosed with H1N1.

And here the Wings are, in Edmonton. The Oilers' Ladislav Smid was the one officially diagnosed with H1N1, though he is now back in the lineup. Lubomir Visnovsky hasn't been tested, but he's ill and not expected to play tonight.

"We are doing all that we can, but you aren't going to prevent it," said Piet Van Zant, Wings head athletic trainer.

Van Zant has been diligent, though. He has lectured the Wings on hand sanitation. His staff has wiped down and disinfect locker-room stalls and door handles in every city on this trip. During practice, he has the water bottles and towels individually numbered so nobody shares.

"It's basic flu-season precautions," Van Zant said. "Try not to touch your nose and mouth with common surfaces that other people have touched. Wash your hands a lot. Don't share towels. And try to get rest and make sure you are eating correctly to help your immune system.

"But you know it's going to happen. It's not circling the globe for no reason."

The players are genuinely concerned, not only for themselves but for their families. Brad May told the story of his 13-year-old son's hockey team, which played in a tournament in London, Ontario last weekend. A boy on one of the teams they faced died Monday, apparently from flu complications.

"I mean, how tragic is that?" May said. "To have it affect a young boy that quickly, just 48 hours after he was playing in a hockey tournament. Now, was he sick before? We don't know. But there's a big panic coming out of that tournament."

Said Kris Draper, "Any time you turn on the news, it's all over. And we are around each other so much, everybody is really trying to take care of themselves, not only for themselves but for the sake of the group."

Yet, as coach Mike Babcock pointed out, the games will go on.

"I hear that (the Oilers) are sick, but I don't know anything about that," Babcock said. "That doesn't matter to me. They wouldn't feel bad for us if we were sick. Bottom line, we need to win and they need to win."

Datsyuk OK

Pavel Datsyuk , not known as a shot-blocker, paid a small price for one he blocked in Vancouver. He had a bruised foot Wednesday and didn't skate at practice. He is expected to play tonight, though.

"Yeah, a blocked shot -- I surprised even myself," he joked.

Datsyuk was pleased that he broke out of his goal drought with two markers Tuesday, but he said that wasn't enough evidence to call it a trend.

"It's too early to say I am feeling good, but I am so happy," Datsyuk said. "I had not scored in many games. Yes, there was starting to be pressure, but it was pressure to get the first road win. You always have pressure."

Ice chips

Jimmy Howard will start in goal tonight.

"That was the plan all along," Babcock said.

... Babcock also said that Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves would be back in the lineup, with Maltby and Justin Abdelkader scratched.

... Assessing his goaltending overall, Babcock said, "It's not as good as we want," and declined to elaborate.