Pavel Datsyuk is sick, according to coach Mike Babcock. Brad Stuart went home to be with his wife for the birth of their second child. Neither player was on the ice for practice today.
Stuart's reason sounds like he'll be back and ready for Game 1, which will likely be on Thursday. Datsyuk's is more worrisome. He's a good bet to not miss any game action, but he's probably feeling the effects of being banged up.
"He's not one bit hurt," said Babcock of Datsyuk. "He came in today and Piet said, 'Go home.' ... He'll be ready to go."

Kirk Maltby still needs medical clearance. He said after the practice that he'd "like to say that he'll be ready for Game 1" but he doesn't "know if it will be Game 1 or Game 4."
Coach Mike Babcock said that he doesn't know if Maltby would be in the lineup for Game 1 even if he was healthy. Babcock said that he doesn't like to change the lineup when things are going well.

Chris Osgood is starting Game 1. No surprise there.