Pavel Datsyuk (knee) has started to skate again. Datsyuk hasn't played since Feb. 27. It's still not clear if he's close to returning, but Detroit could certainly use the help as they compete for one of the final playoff spots.

There's nothing new to report on the status of Pavel Datsyuk (knee) yet. He's scheduled to be re-evaluated next week. Datsyuk hasn't been on the ice since Feb. 27 when it was announced that he would be shut down for three weeks to help him recover from his ailing knee.

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) will be shut down for the next three weeks. What happens after that remains to be seen. For now, the hope is that Datsyuk won't require surgery. He played through a lower-body injury during the Olympics and managed to participate in two contests with Detroit when he returned from Sochi before he was taken out of the lineup.

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) won't play Tuesday night against New Jersey and he's doubtful to play Thursday as well. He is scheduled to see a fourth doctor on Wednesday to look at his ailing knee. He has been battling an inflamed knee since January. Surgery has not been recommended during his previous visits with doctors, but he hasn't been able to shake the ailment. Datsyuk is being listed as day-to-day, but it's unclear when he'll be available to return.

Pavel Datsyuk returned to action on Wednesday February 26.

Pavel Datsyuk (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against Montreal. Although Datsyuk played through the injury over the course of the Olympics, it hasn't improved. For his part, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock thought Datsyuk looked fine in Tuesday's practice.

Pavel Datsyuk is expected to return to practice with the Red Wings next week. The captain of Team Russia had a disappointing end to his Olympic experience when the hosts were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Finland. "He's taken an opportunity to go home for a few days," GM Ken Holland said. "I told him just to be on the ice Tuesday for practice. We certainly expect him to play Wednesday, but we'll see how he feels." Datsyuk was superb for Russia during the tournament, with two goals and six points in five games.

Detroit Red Wings GM Ken Holland is supportive of Pavel Datsyuk's decision to play through a lower-body injury during the 2014 Winter Olympics. "With Pavel, he has been a warrior for us since he showed up in 2001," Holland said. "I'm not sure where we'd be without him. He knows his body better than anybody, and I think he's earned the right to make the decision based on how his body feels." Datsyuk is taking the advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to fight for an Olympic gold medal at home. That being said, it will be interesting to see if playing through the ailment wears on him as the 2013-14 campaign drags on.

Pavel Datsyuk was the best player on the ice in Russia's 3-2 shootout loss to the U.S. in Group B Olympic play Saturday. Datsyuk scored both Russian goals in regulation and a couple in the shootout and was the game's first star. There will now likely be no more talk about whether the Red Wing pivot is fully healthy. Datsyuk had been sidelined with a groin muscle injury last month.

Russia coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov said through an interpreter that Pavel Datsyuk "is having a difficult time, still," with his lower-body injury. The Russian captain logged 15 minutes of ice time and had one shot on goal in a 5-2 win over Slovenia on Thursday.