Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard left the first period of the Red Wings' game with the Columbus Blue Jackets with an undisclosed injury.
Howard appeared to take a shot off the knee just above his right goalie pad. Howard doubled over on the ice for several minutes in pain while he was being attended to by team physicians. Joey MacDonald replaced Howard in net and finished the first period.
Nicklas Lidstrom was interviewed during the intermission and said he did not know exactly what happened or what Howard's status is.
Detroit is already missing veteran goalie Chris Osgood, who is out six weeks after undergoing groin surgery.