GAME DAY: SCP '09, THURSDAY JUNE 4, STANLEY CUP FINAL--DETROIT AT PITTSBURGH, 800 PM ET

The Russian star has been out for six games after breaking his foot
in the Western Conference final against Chicago, but he skated hard in
practice on Wednesday.

"He had a big smile on his face at practice," said teammate Henrik Zetterberg. "He looked good."

Added Zetterberg: "We've sure been missing him. He's a big part of
this team. He works really hard at both ends of the ice, so if he is a
go, it will be very good for us."

Asked how he has been passing the
time during the Stanley Cup final while hobbling around with a foot
injury, the affable Datsyuk told reporters: "This is not fun to watch.
I take in lots of beer."

Cap'n Clutch wrote:Maybe it's the brews that are allowing him to come back early? cool)

Forward Pavel Datsyuk
skated with the Red Wings' "Black Aces" (Detroit's healthy scratches)
on Thursday leading to speculation that the Hart Trophy candidate will
miss his seventh straight game.

The Russian superstar took a full practice Wednesday and looked
strong, however it appears as though the Wings have decided to err on
the side of caution and keep the sleek skating sniper on the sidelines.

This will likely be a blow to the 30-year old Datsyuk who has been
champing at the bit to see action in the finals. Following practice
Wednesday he stated that he was willing to play anywhere.

"Wing, centre, defenceman, I want to play so bad. I don't want to
watch this game again," Datsyuk joked. "The game is 60 minutes. I hope
I play 60 minutes."

swales wrote:Still holding my breath. He can single-handedly change the pace of the game. Not the outcome, but the pace.

Pretty brutal that the Pitt Paper lists them at for in sports headlines. Football doesn't even start until Sept and they have big Ben before the Pens.

shabbs wrote:Datsyuk will certainly help the Wings' PK. If he's out... I think the Pens take this one tonight.

If he's in... all bets are off... but you can bet MAF will take a swipe at his foot to see how it holds up... I know I would.

wprager wrote:Over on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette website, you wouldn't even know that the Penguins are in the Finals. Even when you click through to the Sports page, this is the order of the top stories:

1. Some PIAA baseball games postponed

2. Roethlisberger practices this morning, seems OK

3. Pirates deal McLouth in stunning trade

4. Final at same stage, but Penguins see difference

wprager wrote:

shabbs wrote:Datsyuk will certainly help the Wings' PK. If he's out... I think the Pens take this one tonight.

If he's in... all bets are off... but you can bet MAF will take a swipe at his foot to see how it holds up... I know I would.

But Draper is in and he's their best faceoff man. Plus wings will tighten up that PK. 19 goals in 19 games, that's pretty pathetic. Draper taking draws on the PK *will* help.

wprager wrote:Ice Chips mentions that Pittsburgh has only given up on PP goal in six games. I think it's time for the Detroit PP to show what they can do, and also for their PK to do what they should have been doing all along. I guess not having Draper and Datsyuk in the lineup is hurting their PK, but still.

And if the refs reviewed video of the last game, I think we might see some calls going Detroit's way this time around.