Pavel Datsyuk will return from what was reportedly an unspecified knee injury on Thursday night. It was his call to play after missing 14 games. "Sooner or later I needed to start," Datsyuk said after the morning skate. "I've been waiting enough." Coach Mike Babcock hopes that it's the right decision for Datsyuk to play, but he trusts that the talented forward wouldn't put his long-term health in jeopardy. He'll skated alongside Darren Helm and Daniel Alfredsson against Florida.