The Detroit Red Wings’ defensive problems could be compounded if they lose Moritz Seider for any length of time.
Seider was hit on the side of his left knee with a shot with five minutes remaining in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
The 6-4 rookie defensemen went down in pain before being helped off the ice by trainer Piet Van Zant.
Coach Jeff Blashill did not have an update immediately after the game.
“Too early. I’m not certain,” Blashill said. “I didn’t even have a chance to talk to our trainer yet.”
The Red Wings (8-9-2) will practice in Arizona Friday before wrapping up a four-game trip Saturday against the Coyotes (8 p.m., Bally Sports Detroit), who are last in the league (2-13-2). Detroit has lost three in a row, getting outscored 15-7.
Seider, 20, has been the Red Wings’ best and most consistent defenseman, playing on both the power play and the penalty kill. He’s second to Filip Hronek on the club in average ice time (22:19), and second among NHL rookies with 13 points (two goals, 11 assists), behind teammate Lucas Raymond.
“He’s a huge part of our team, obviously. Let’s hope it’s not too serious,” Sam Gagner said.
“The confidence and poise he plays with, the aggressiveness, he’s been unbelievable for us. He’s a guy that’s leading for us even as a young guy, so huge importance to our team.”
The Red Wings already were missing two defensemen -- Marc Staal missed the game due to a non-COVID related illness and Troy Stecher is out with an upper-body injury.
Smith a bright spot
Givani Smith, whose struggles have caused him to be a healthy scratch in six games, played his best game of the season and was rewarded with his first point. He scored his team’s first goal at 10:19 of the second period, jamming in a loose puck. It cut Vegas’ lead to 2-1, providing brief momentum before the Golden Knights stretched the lead with a pair of goals in the final eight minutes of the period.
Smith also distracted goaltender Robin Lehner to facilitate Joe Veleno’s goal late in the third period.
“He’s a guy who can create a lot of havoc with his size and I thought tonight he did that,” Gagner said. “He got a goal in the paint, and that’s something we’ve talked about. We have to be able to get to the paint to score goals, and we got to be better defensively. I thought Smitty did his thing tonight. Hopefully something to build on.”
More: Red Wings’ defensive woes continue with third consecutive loss
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