Datsyuk's Status Still Uncertain

The on-again, off-again Pavel Datsyuk return to the Detroit Red Wings lineup appears to be off again, at least for the time being, as TSN is reporting he skated with the team's "black aces" (practice fodder for the playoffs and last-minute replacements for injured players) at the morning skate.

Datsyuk is still expected to be a game-time decision prior to the 8 PM ET face-off at Mellon Arena, but this would seem to be a step backward, seeing as how spent Wednesday's team drills centering the second line between Valtteri Filppula and Marian Hossa. Datsyuk hasn't played since Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against Chicago, while the 30-year-old center has one goal and six assists in 13 playoff games. Detroit is 4-2 in his absence.