Pavel-Datsyuk-12-21-13

The Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk has missed 14 games with a knee injury.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – Pavel Datsyuk practiced Wednesday on a line with Darren Helm and Daniel Alfredsson, a good sign for the Detroit Red Wings.

Datsyuk said he hopes to play Thursday against the Florida Panthers at the BB&T Center (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit), but that the final determination will be made after the morning skate.

Datsyuk has missed 14 games with some type of knee issue, but he has been practicing for several days.

“It wasn’t bad, yeah, I can move,” Datsyuk said. “Better every day. Now I skate with the team and it’s more fun and more enjoyable and more confidence.”

Datsyuk realizes the importance of playing a couple of games before the Olympic break. The Red Wings play at Tampa Bay Saturday.

“It’s everybody that’s feeling the pressure, but I need to be smart and make the right decision,” Datsyuk said. “We’ll see tomorrow.”

He added, “It’s important (to play a couple of games), but it’s frustrating to stay in the locker room and watch the game. It makes me more nervous and can’t help the team in the locker room.”

Needless to say that getting back Datsyuk would be a tremendous lift for a team that has gained five of a possible six points in its past three games (2-0-1).

“We need Pav, he’s one of our best players,” goaltender Jimmy Howard said. “He’s a dynamic player as well. When he’s out there he takes a lot of attention off some other players. I think that’s going to be good for the other guys.”

Said coach Mike Babcock: "Let's talk about Pav tomorrow, see if he's actually playing or not. He's got to be comfortable. Obviously, there's a lot on the line for him. The Olympics are in his country and he wants to play."

If Datsyuk is cleared to play, defenseman Jakub Kindl will be placed on short-term injured reserve to open a roster spot. No other move is needed.

Kindl didn’t skate Wednesday and will miss the next two games with a lower-body injury.

Babcock said Howard will start on Thursday. Jonas Gustavsson, who left Monday's 2-0 victory over Vancouver after the first period due to dizziness, returned to practice and is fine to back-up.

Stephen Weiss (hernia surgery on Dec. 23) practiced with the team and remains on schedule to return right after the Olympic break (Feb. 9-24). Johan Franzen (concussion) did not practice.

Here are the lines they skated with:

Gustav Nyquist-Henrik Zetterberg-Justin Abdelkader

Darren Helm-Pavel Datsyuk-Daniel Alfredsson

Tomas Tatar-Riley Sheahan-Tomas Jurco

Joakim Andersson-Luke Glendening-Drew Miller

Patrick Eaves, Daniel Cleary, Todd Bertuzzi and Stephen Weiss also skated.

Jonathan Ericsson-Niklas Kronwall

Kyle Quincey-Danny DeKeyser

Brian Lashoff-Brendan Smith

Jimmy Howard (starting Thursday)

Jonas Gustavsson