Pavel Datsyuk Returns Against Rival Sharks

Datsyuk is in; adjust your lineups accordingly.

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As we continue to preach, Datsyuk is expected to return on Saturday night. This afternoon, Ansar Khan of Mlive.com reported, via Twitter, that Datsyuk practiced on his normal line this morning. All signs keep pointing towards the superstar getting back into the lineup. To see what the projected lines look like, click here.

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3/14/12: No Pavel Datsyuk tonight, as expected. However, the crafty centerman did skate again this morning in hopes of playing on Saturday reports Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press, via Twitter. By all means, it looks like he will play this week so keep an eye out for a confirmation.

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3/13/12: Datsyuk targeted tonight’s contest but he will probably miss two more games according to Ansar Khan of Mlive.com. However, the superstar center saw extended ice time during yesterday’s practice which indicates that there has been no setback. It simply appears that recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery will take a few more days than originally anticipated. Expect him to get back into the lineup Saturday against the rival San Jose Sharks.

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3/3/12: Following today’s practice, Pavel Datsyuk spoke to NHL.com’s Brian Hedger. Hedger would later report, via Twitter, that Datsyuk hopes to return in four games, when the Detroit Red Wings take on the Los Angeles Kings in California. Fantasy hockey owners eagerly anticipating Datsyuk’s return should circle that outside date.

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Just as the Detroit Red Wings get Danny Cleary and Jimmy Howard back in the lineup, they lose their best player — Pavel Datsyuk — to arthroscopic knee surgery according to Mlive’s Ansar Khan, via Twitter. The superstar center currently leads the Wings with 59 points in as many games and will be severely missed.

To see how the lines project, click here.