"The Vancouver Canucks aren't giggling because there is nothing funny about the testicular injury Sami Salo suffered Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Struck by Duncan Keith's point shot just before the first-period horn, Salo barely made it off the ice with the help of trainers and teammates and was later transported to a Chicago hospital.

The team issued no statement on Salo's condition and coach Alain Vigneault promised to know more Monday. It's almost inconceivable the Finnish defenceman will play Tuesday, when Vancouver must win again to force a seventh game in its second-round National Hockey League playoff series.

Detroit Red Wing Niklas Lidstrom required testicular surgery but missed only two games in last year's Western Conference final after being speared in the groin by Blackhawk Patrick Sharp.

Nolan Baumgartner, who suffered a lower-body injury in the Canucks' first-round series win against the Los Angeles Kings, is the most likely candidate to join the blue line Tuesday. Aaron Rome, who recently had a setback in recovery from his undisclosed injury, may also be available.

Neither one can individually replace Salo, who has averaged 22:03 per game during the playoffs while going plus-three against the the top lines of the Kings and Blackhawks.

Salo proved especially important in this series, given he has the size to counter — at least somewhat — Chicago power forward Dustin Byfuglien and the ability to maintain his temperament and game when teammates don't."