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Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg began skating lightly on his own last week.

(AP file photo)

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg will practice with the team on Tuesday for the first time since before the Olympics.

Zetterberg, who skated lightly on his own a few times last week, won’t be going at close to full speed and might only be on the ice briefly. But it’s a notable step in his recovery from back surgery on Feb. 21.

“I don’t know if he’ll be in a full practice, but he’ll be on the ice at the start of it, be on for a little bit then get off,” general manager Ken Holland said. “Then we’ll see how he is Wednesday.”

It remains to be seen if Zetterberg can return late in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins, a series that begins on Friday.

“There’s no timeframe,” Holland said. “We need another week before we can have any discussions where he’s at. It’s good news he’s going to skate with the team (Tuesday), but the bigger news is how does he feel on Wednesday. Then if he feels good enough skate on Wednesday the next bigger news will be how does he feel to skate on Thursday.”

Holland added, “He’s not playing this weekend. He might be out for the entire first round series.”

The club hopes Zetterberg can be cleared for physical contact next week.

Ericsson expected to miss first round

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, who had surgery March 19 to repair a broken finger and torn ligaments, is not expected to play in the first round, Holland said.

Young defenseman Xavier Ouellet and Ryan Sproul will practice with the Red Wings this week before likely being reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins for the weekend.

“They’re going to stay here the next three days so that they know our system so that they’re involved in all our preparations on the Boston team and the Boston series,” Holland said. “Then, in all likelihood they’re probably going back. But if we have an injured defenseman and we need to call one up they know what we’re doing.”

Backup goaltender Jonas Gustavsson (shoulder) will return to practice Tuesday and is ready to back up Jimmy Howard at the start of the playoffs.

The Red Wings reassigned goalie Petr Mrazek to the Griffins.