Breaking: Defenseman Scratched

Hold your breath, Detroit Red Wings fans.

Ahead of the team's imminent matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a last-minute scratch due to injuries has been announced.

Veteran defenseman Jonathan Ericsson is reportedly suffering from back spasms, and will miss tonight's game:

#RedWings Jonathan Ericsson out tonight due to back spasms. He's listed as day-to-day.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) December 10, 2016

He is listed as day-to-day, and even though rookie Ryan Sproul took part in the warmups, he is not expected to dress. Tonight's defensive pairings will consist of:

#RedWings defense pairs in warmups:
DeKeyser-Green
Kronwall-Ouellet
Lashoff-Marchenko
Sproul warmed up but appears to be a scratch again.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) December 10, 2016