Report: Pavel Datsyuk near return to Red Wings lineup

Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings has been rehabbing a knee injury. (Greg Aibel/Getty Images) By Amy Lilek The injury-riddled Red Wings were hoping to get

Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings has been rehabbing a knee injury. (Greg Aibel/Getty Images)

By Amy Lilek

The injury-riddled Red Wings were hoping to get Pavel Datsyuk back for their game against Boston on Wednesday night after NHL.com reported that he was getting close returning from the knee injury that has sidelined him since February 27. That report proved to be over-optimistic when Datsyuk declared himself not quite ready to return to action after the team's morning skate.

Every team has to battle through injuries this season, but for the Red Wings, the broken bodies just seemed to keep mounting. Detroit ranks second in the league for most man games lost this season, and went through a six-game stretch of losing at least one player to injury. Despite being without impact players Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, and Daniel Cleary, the Wings currently have a three point lead for a wild-card spot in the East.