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Knee issues have limited Niklas Kronwall to 30 games this season.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

TAYLOR, Mich. - Niklas Kronwall and Frans Nielsen won't be in the lineup when the Detroit Red Wings kick off a three-game road trip Thursday in Washington but both hope to play at some point this weekend.

Kronwall has been day-to-day with a knee injury and has missed the past three games along with while Nielsen, who suffered a shoulder injury in last week's 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders.

Both skated in practice Wednesday at Taylor SportsPlex and reported they're feeling better.

Coach Jeff Blashill has ruled both out for Thursday but said Kronwall could play either at some point this weekend. Kronwall has been limited to 30 games this season with knee problems.

Could Kronwall suit up Saturday in Columbus?

"That kind of depends how it goes day-by-day, but it's starting to feel pretty good," Kronwall said. "Hopefully I'll get a good morning skate tomorrow and skate a little bit extra before practice on Friday and we'll go from there."

Kronwall has five assists, a minus-2 rating and has averaged 181/2 minutes this season.

Nielsen injured his shoulder last Friday, when he was checked into the boards by the Islanders Jason Chimera late in the second period. He was placed on short-term IR and isn't eligible to return until Saturday in Columbus.

Although he skated in practice Wednesday, Nielsen did not take part in contact drills.

"It's feeling pretty good now," Nielsen said. "I want to keep my conditioning and my legs going. Hopefully I'll be back soon. I can skate at least to keep in shape and hopefully it'll heal good enough that at some point on this road trip I can come back.

"I'm not sure. Not sure what they're going to do. I'm not sure what it'll take from me to get cleared. I'm feeling way better. I'm getting kind of tested every day. I feel very comfortable I'll be back soon."

In 51 games, Nielsen has 10 goals, 16 assists and a minus-12 rating.