Remember that whole thing I just said about Pavel Datsyuk possibly being available for Saturday’s game in Nashville? Well, erase it from your memories.
Datsyuk apparently won’t be playing as per this tweet from Fox Sports Detroit’s Trevor Thompson:
#PavelDatsyuk not making #RedWings trip to #Nashville #NHL
So unless he plans on catching a bus or something, Datsyuk is probably out. The team revealed earlier that he did not need any tests done on his lower body injury but didn’t reveal exactly what it was either. Datsyuk is listed as day-to-day, so it could end up being a situation like the Red Wings recently had with Patrick Eaves.
Detroit won’t need to recall anyone to replace Datsyuk even with Jiri Hudler also out of the lineup as they have plenty of healthy forwards (Hudler sat out last night’s game with the flu). Still, Datsyuk’s absence will be felt; he has 10 goals and eight assists since returning from a broken hand Feb. 7.