Doan out for Game 4 vs. Wings

DETROIT -- If the Phoenix Coyotes are going to take a 3-1 series lead at Joe Louis Arena Tuesday night (6:30 p.m. ET, TSN), they're going to have to do it without their captain.

Shane Doan, who suffered an upper-body injury during the second period of Sunday's 4-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings, did not participate in the optional morning skate Tuesday and will not play when the teams meet for Game 4 of this Western Conference quarterfinal.

Doan, who did skate on Monday, is listed as day-to-day. Coach Dave Tippett is optimistic that Doan will be able to play in Game 5, which takes place Friday night at Jobing.com Arena. He'll be replaced in the lineup by Vernon Fiddler, who missed Game 3 with an upper-body injury.

"He will not play tonight … we'll put him in the day-to-day scenario," Tippett said. "We just feel that with two days before the next game, we just feel like it's best for him to wait a couple of days."

It's a frustrating time for Doan, who has played for the organization since being drafted in the first round by the Winnipeg Jets in 1995. Phoenix had not reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2002 before this remarkable season. Still, the hope is that Doan will be able to return to the lineup for Game 5. 

"I think early on, he was upset. But his demeanor yesterday was very good. I think it's a scenario where he knows he's not going to be out long-term. He's doing whatever he can to make sure he gets back. His spirits are good. He'll get a rest tonight and hopefully he can jump back in here Friday." -- Dave Tippett on Shane Doan

The Coyotes are already facing a tough task Tuesday night when one considers the desperation level that is expected from Detroit, which can't afford to go back to Phoenix trailing 3-1 in this series. The Red Wings, who have made back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final, are boasting a healthy lineup, as Brian Rafalski is expected to play despite missing an optional skate on Tuesday morning.

"If you see the way this series has gone, the team that has won the last game, the other team has come out and played with an extra bit of urgency and an extra bit of desire, and I expect that from them tonight," Tippett said. "We have to recognize that as a group and recognize that their desperation level is going to be very high. We have to make sure that we can match that."

Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski agreed.

"We know they're going to be good," Jovanovski said. "They're a veteran team with a lot of character. If we execute at the levels that we can, that will give us our best chance to win."

Follow Brian Compton on Twitter: @BComptonNHL