DET vs COL

DENVER – Peter Forsberg almost certainly will play in Game 3 against Detroit. The question is, does that matter anymore?

The Colorado Avalanche star left wing went through a full practice Monday and proclaimed himself feeling "great" afterward. But as always, the man nicknamed "Foppa" left a little wiggle room whether he'd play for sure, trotting out his stock "we'll see tomorrow" when asked if he would play for sure.

Forsberg was carved a bit in the Denver papers for scratching himself after taking the pre-game skate in Game 2 – with his team down already a game in the series. The veteran Swede clearly was irritated when asked about it Monday.

"I didn't come here to sit in the dressing room while we're playing in the playoffs," he said. "I think I have to be in a situation where I can not reinjure it. I try to go out and do my best every single game. And if I can't play, unfortunately… nobody wants to play more than I want to play, but what am I supposed to do? It doesn't feel good and if I go out, I'm just going to hurt it even more and be out for the rest of the playoffs.

"I felt that it wasn't good enough, so I didn't want to put myself in a position where I could miss the rest of the playoffs."

The problem, critics say, is that the playoffs might only be a few more games if people like Forsberg don't play. Forsberg usually says nothing specific about his injuries, but he did allow that his latest problem really is to the groin area, and not to the right ankle that kept him out most of the regular season.

The Red Wings seemed blissfully unconcerned about anything to do with the Avalanche's roster situation Monday. The team went through a breezy 45-minute workout at a suburban Denver rink, with no injuries to report other than some nagging concerns, like the hamstring problem of Kirk Maltby.

Maltby went through a full practice, however, and could be available for duty. But he probably won't play, because everybody else ahead of him is playing so well right now.

Detroit is trying its best to convince themselves this is still a series, despite the numerous Colorado injuries and a 2-0 lead. They had the same edge going into Nashville last week, then lost the next two games.

"We have to learn from our mistakes," veteran winger Dallas Drake said. "Things can change too fast in this league to feel comfortable about anything. Forsberg or no Forsberg, they still have a very dynamic lineup over there."

Said defenceman Chris Chelios: "The only thing we're focusing on is trying to get a win in Game 3. We're not looking at anything other than that."

The Avalanche might be without quality defenceman Scott Hannan in Game 3. The veteran blocked a shot in Game 2, and might have a broken bone in his foot. Still, coach Joel Quenneville said Hannan "could play." But Hannan did not practice Monday.