James Wisniewski on the Road to Recovery

On Wednesday afternoon, the Anaheim Ducks received encouraging news regarding injured defenceman James Wisniewski.

Defeating the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings at home on Tuesday to take a 2-1 series lead didn’t seem that important to Anaheim players, as their thoughts were focused on Wisniewski, who was taken off the ice on a stretcher in front of a stunned crowd in the second period.

This 25-year old, who was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks at the NHL trade deadline, suffered an injury very similar to fellow defenceman Chris Pronger a few years ago when he was playing with the St. Louis Blues.

Wisniewski, who is plus-four in nine playoff games this spring, was hit squarely on the chest by a Pavel Datsyuk slap shot. Similar to Pronger when he was hit in the same area years ago in Detroit, Wisniewski took a few strides before immediately collapsing on his hands and knees and began coughing up blood.

“He seems to be in good spirits. It was pretty good news,” said fellow defenseman Ryan Whitney who spoke at length with Wisniewski on the phone from the hospital.

“I don’t think it’s anything too serious, but it’s pretty scary there when he’s coughing up blood.”

After being taken to a nearby hospital, he was diagnosed with a bruised lung.

The team announced on Wednesday that the doctors have cleared the rugged rear guard and has been released from the hospital.

No word has been announced on when he will be back in the lineup.