Pavel Datsyuk could be on the verge of returning to the Detroit Red Wings lineup.
The super-skilled Russian skated with teammates Wednesday and according to those who witnessed him on the Joe Louis Arena ice, he looked good.
Head coach Mike Babcock, however, isn’t counting his chickens before they hatch.
“[Trainer Piet Van Zant] told me today he looks like he can play, but I’ve heard that lots,” Babcock told reporters . “When I see him in the lineup, I’ll believe it.”
Datsyuk has played just four games for the Red Wings since the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day and has been out of the lineup since a Feb. 27 contest against the Ottawa Senators due to a knee injury. He has missed 33 games in total this season.
In 39 games this season, the 35-year-old has 15 goals, 33 points and is minus-2, which is his lowest plus/minus rating since the 2003-04 season.
The Red Wings are in a battle for the final two playoff spots in the East and are currently tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs at 80 points apiece.
Tomas Jurco, who has been out since March 11 mending broken ribs, is set to return to the Detroit lineup Thursday when the team hosts the Montreal Canadiens, according to Wings beat writer Helene St. James.
The Red Wings are also without captain Henrik Zetterberg, forward Justin Abdelkader and defenceman Jonathan Ericsson, who recently had surgery on a broken finger.
