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Injured again, Datsyuk hopes to be ready for Friday

Boston Bruins v Detroit Red Wings - Game Three

Pavel Datsyuk

Getty Images

Only six days ago, we did a PHT Extra about the Detroit Red Wings’ impressive start to the season, which had been led by star forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.

It did come with one caveat, though.

“The only thing,” I said, “you just gotta keep your fingers crossed that these two can stay healthy.”

Well, apparently not enough of you crossed your fingers, because Datsyuk, 36, has missed the last two games with a groin injury.

“I don’t know when Pavel’s coming back, if he’s coming back,” coach Mike Babcock said over the weekend. “I don’t know what’s going on there. I just try to have the best lineup I can.”

The good news? The Wings don’t play again until Friday versus Chicago, and per the Detroit News, Datsyuk is hoping to be ready to go by then.

From the News:

Datsyuk said the groin was bothering him “a little bit” on the three-game road trip last week, but really was a concern during Friday’s morning skate.

“It happened so fast,” said Datsyuk, who believed it was the right call to get off the ice and even miss a couple games, in hopes of remaining healthy long-term.

The Red Wings are off Tuesday and will skate again Wednesday, and Datsyuk plans to go full force in that workout.

“It’s hard to say when I will get back, but I felt good (Monday),” Datsyuk said. “I didn’t skate full (out) but at least now I can skate. We’ll see what happens Wednesday.”

Datsyuk has only played eight games this season. He missed the first five after separating his shoulder in the preseason. Don’t be surprised if his health is a story all season, given the trend.

Injuries limited both Datsyuk and 34-year-old Zetterberg to just 45 games each in 2013-14.

Via TSN, here’s Datsyuk’s injury log since 2011:

Nov 07, 2014 Groin, day-to-day.
Oct 21, 2014 Missed 5 games (separated right shoulder).
Apr 04, 2014 Missed 16 games (sore right knee).
Feb 06, 2014 Missed 14 games (lower body injury).
Dec 10, 2013 Missed 7 games (head injury).
Feb 17, 2013 Missed 1 game (shoulder injury).
Mar 17, 2012 Missed 11 games (arthroscopic knee surgery).
Jan 12, 2012 Missed 1 game (lower body injury).
Apr 03, 2011 Missed 7 games (lower body injury).
Feb 07, 2011 Missed 3 games (hand injury).
Jan 28, 2011 Missed 16 games (broken right hand).