Red Wings Bertuzzi Hurt Again; Looks to be Serious

There was little information forthcoming from the Detroit Red Wings on the latest Tyler Bertuzzi ailment. First impressions, though, based soley on Bertuzzi’s on-ice reaction, were offering indications that things are not good with him.

Late in the third period of Wednesday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres, Bertuzzi was stationing himself net front at the Sabres doorstep. He was struck on the left hand with a point shot from Detroit defenseman Ben Chiarot.

Bertuzzi just left the ice clearly frustrated. Heading to the locker room.

— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) December 1, 2022

Skating off the ice, Bertuzzi anrgily slammed his stick into the boards before heading to the Red Wings dressing room. He did return to the bench a few minutes later, but saw no more ice tiem during the game.

“I wanted to use him in overtime, too, and he couldn’t go,” Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde said.

Lalonde provided no futher updates on the severirty of Bertuzzi’s injury.

“We’ll know more after,” Lalonde said.

Rough Season For Bertuzzi

Coming off the first 30-goal season and heading into a contract year, if it weren’t for bad luck, Bertuzzi would have no luck at all.

He was hurt right at the beginning of training camp with an undisclosed ailment and missed the majority of the preseason. Then in the second game of the NHL regular season at New Jersey, Bertuzzi suffered a broken right hand while blocking a shot.

Bertuzzi would be missing in action for Detroit’s next 13 games. His return came November 15 on the road at the Anaheim Ducks.

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It’s been a difficult road back for Bertuzzi. He’s been struggling to find a groove. In nine games, he’s showing 1-3-4 totals.

“I think he’s trying to find his game,” Lalonde said. “I hate the fact he missed those games through injury.”

Buffalo has proven to be a good luck omen for Bertuzzi in the past, posting 6-7-13 totals in 15 career games against the Sabres.