Pavel Datsyuk (lower body) will play in Russia's opener on Thursday. Datsyuk was sidelined for 14 straight games and had his playing time limited in his final two contests before the Olympic break. All the same, he feels up to facing Slovenia in the opener. He's projected to play alongside Alexander Radulov and Ilya Kovalchuk.

Pavel Datsyuk (lower body) practiced on Tuesday for Russia. Datsyuk missed 14 games following the Winter Classic with the injury, but played in the Red Wings final two games as he picked up one assist. He missed Monday's practice with Russia so this is good news for the home side.

Russian coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov is optimistic that Pavel Datsyuk will suit up in the team's preliminary opener versus Slovenia on Thursday. "I don't think it's a serious problem, dangerous," Bilyaletdinov said through an interpreter. "I think he's going to be OK." Datsyuk didn't practice Monday with Team Russia. He returned to Detroit's lineup from what is believed to be a knee injury just before the Olympic break, but he didn't get much ice time in either contest. Datsyuk is projected to play between Alexander Radulov and Ilya Kovalchuk when he's healthy.

Pavel Datsyuk appears as though he is still being hampered by a lower-body injury. He didn't practice with the Russian team on Monday. Datsyuk returned from a reported knee ailment for the Red Wings' final two games before the Olympic break, but there's a chance that he could sit some contests during the Olympics. He's still expected to play in the tournament even if he misses a couple of preliminary round matches.

It will be interesting to see how much Pavel Datsyuk ends up playing for Russia during the Olympics. The Russian team will want to give Datsyuk big minutes given how talented he is, but Datsyuk has just two games under his belt after missing more than a month due to a knee injury. Detroit used Datsyuk for just 14:46 minutes on Saturday. "He'll have to determine whether he's ready or not," said coach Mike Babcock.

Pavel Datsyuk told reporters he felt great after missing 14 games due to a knee injury. He played on the wing a line with Daniel Alfredsson and Darren Helm but might move back to center for Saturday's contest against Tampa. "It's first game I played in one month, it's a little easier to play on the wing", said Datsyuk. "But I'm hoping I play tomorrow at center." If you have not done so, activate Datsyuk immediately as he is a must start whereever he plays.

Pavel Datsyuk logged just 13:34 of ice time in his return to the lineup on Thursday night. He had one shot and a minus-1 rating in Detroit's 3-1 win over Florida. Datsyuk's playing time in Tampa Bay on Saturday will be very telling. It could determine if he's still hurting or if he was simply just eased back into the lineup.

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.

Pavel Datsyuk (lower body) took part in Wednesday's morning skate. Datsyuk practiced alongside Daniel Alfredsson and Darren Helm in preparation for his potential return on Thursday. He'll take part in Thursday's practice before his availability for that contest will be determined.

Pavel Datsyuk (lower body) might play Thursday. "The final determination will be after the morning skate (Thursday)," GM Ken Holland said. "There's a possibility (Datsyuk will play). Hopefully he'll have another couple good skates and we'll go from there." He hasn't played since Jan. 1 because of a lower-body ailment.