JUST IN: Already shorthanded Red Wings lose another to injury

In a game where the Detroit Red Wings were already playing 11 forwards and seven defensemen, they got some more bad news. Joining the injured Frans Nielsen and Andreas Athanasiou, forward Thomas Vanek left the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with an apparent lower-body injury.

Vanek took a fairly nasty looking knee-to-knee hit with Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray. Vanek ended up on the ice, while Murray was okay. He was helped off the ice and did not return to the game.

vanek, lower body. will not return.#DETvsCBJ

— gregg krupa (@greggkrupa) October 31, 2018

#RedWings Vanek (lower body) will not return. #CBJ

— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) October 31, 2018

Vanek hobbled off the ice, straight down the runway. Took a nasty knee-to-knee with Murray who is fine. We'll see if he returns tonight. #DETvsCBJ #CBJ

— Union and Blue (@UnionAndBlue) October 30, 2018

Vanek assisted on Michael Rasmussen’s first career NHL goal, which was the Red Wings’ first of the night. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery and minimal time missed.