COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Detroit Red Wings hope they don't end up paying a price for Thursday's 2-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

A pair of key players, center Pavel Datsyuk and defenseman Brian Rafalski, were injured during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Datsyuk was hit by Rick Nash along the boards midway through the period. Rafalski hurt his right knee when Antoine Vermette landed on him in the corner with 5:21 to play.

Both players were walking through the dressing room without any noticeable issues, but both said they will know more about the severity of their injuries on Friday.

“Rafalski's going to be fine,'' coach Mike Babcock said. "Pavel's got a lower-body injury and we'll just see how it is.''

Datsyuk said he's not sure if he'll need an MRI or X-rays.

“I just take a hit – lower-body injury,'' Datsyuk said. “I'm hoping (to play Saturday in Nashville), but now it's after the game. In a couple of days we'll see. Tomorrow we'll make a decision. See how it feels in the morning.''

Asked how concerned he is, Datsyuk said. “I don't know, it's hard to say now.''

Rafalski said the brace he wears on his knee saved it or "it would have been a lot worse.''

"See if the swelling goes down tomorrow,'' Rafalski said. "Can't let it get stiffened up. At first the pain was (bad) and then it started going away after a few seconds.''

He went back on the ice to test it during a stoppage in play but said he couldn't return to the game.

“I don't know if it's bone on bone,'' Rafalski said. "I haven't had an ACL in that knee since I was 16-17. As long as the MCL is OK, it's just a matter of making sure I strengthen it.''

He doesn't think he'll need any tests.

Babcock likes team defense

The Red Wings have allowed eight goals in their last five games.

“I don't think our defensive game, contrary to popular belief, has ever been that bad,'' Babcock said. “I think our engagement has been poor. We started real well this year and we had injuries and looked like we were bored.

“That's part of the process you sometimes go through in February. I'm not trying to justify it, that's the facts. This last while we're engaged, we look like we know how to play.''

--Forward Jiri Hudler did not make the trip to Columbus due to the flu, general manager Ken Holland said. Hudler missed a couple of shifts after being hit by Washington's D.J. King on Wednesday, but he finished the game.

--Ruslan Salei's wife gave birth to their third child, a girl they named Ava Ruslanovna. Salei has missed the past two games. Babcock said he won't return until Monday's game against Pittsburgh because he needs to skate for a couple of days.