2014 NHL playoffs: Ducks' Ryan Getzlaf says "Hopefully I can play" in Game 5
Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf is nursing the always nebulous "upper body injury." (Tony Gutierrez/AP)
By Allan Muir
You have to hand it to the Anaheim Ducks. They know how to keep a secret.
The status of Ryan Getzlaf was so hush-hush that it wasn't even on the radar until the superstar center failed to step onto the ice for warm-ups just minutes before the start of Game 4 on Wednesday night in Dallas.
The Stars were caught so far off-guard that their coaches were seen scanning their smartphones for information seconds after the skate started.
This afternoon, Getzlaf told reporters that while he's listed as questionable, he's hopeful he can play in Friday night's Game 5 in Anaheim.
But give out details about his injury? Not a chance.
"I'm not really going to discuss what exactly is going on," he said. "That's what we've always done here during the playoffs. I wish I could give you insight on it, but I'm just not allowed to. I do know that it's questionable for tomorrow."
Getzlaf called the experience of watching the game "frustrating."
"I don't think I've missed a playoff game in my career," he said. "It was a tough thing to watch last night and not be a part of it. It's not in my nature to step away from the game unless someone forces me to."
The resilience of the Stars, who battled back from an early two-goal deficit to win 4-2, didn't surprise Getzlaf. "We said right from the start we thought it was going to be a long series. Now we've got to hold our home-ice advantage. We worked hard during the season to get it, and we've got to hold it tomorrow.
"We have guys who have stepped up and played big roles during the year, and we may need that tomorrow again. But hopefully I can play tomorrow."