Detroit Red Wings training camp - Saturday

Red Wings center Pavel Datsyuk is expected to return from a separated shoulder some time this week.

(Mike Mulholland/MLive.com)

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings are off to a 3-1-1 start without Pavel Datsyuk.

Their goaltending and defense has been strong (they were tied for third in the NHL at 1.40 goals against per game prior to Sunday). Henrik Zetterberg stepped up big in the weekend sweep of the Toronto Maple Leafs (four assists in first game, overtime goal in second game). Gustav Nyquist has four goals in five games.

They've had only one bad performance (3-2 shootout loss to Boston on Wednesday) and still got a point out of it. All in all, getting five out of six points against Atlantic Division rivals is a good week.

Here are five things to look for this week:

1. Pavel Datsyuk could return as early as Tuesday

He's getting closer to returning from a separated shoulder, but his status for Tuesday's game will be determined after Monday's practice.

He was estimated to be out four weeks from the time of the injury on Sept. 22.

Datsyuk, of course, will make the Red Wings better at both ends of the ice. They desperately need him on the power play, which went 0 for 10 on the weekend and is 2 for 21 (9.5 percent) this season.

2. Who's the odd-man out when Datsyuk returns?

The Red Wings will need to clear a roster spot before activating Datsyuk.

They might opt to assign forward Tomas Jurco to Grand Rapids, since he's their only waiver-exempt player. Jurco has just one assist in five games.

Another possibility is to waive Daniel Cleary, a healthy scratch in all five games. He would certainly clear and would get a chance to play some games for the Griffins.

It's doubtful the Red Wings would waive rookie Andrej Nestrasil since he's been a regular in the lineup and on the second power-play unit. Why risk losing on waivers a 23-year-old with size, skill and potential that you've been developing for three years?

3. When will Johan Franzen and Jimmy Howard be ready?

Their status will be determined after practice Monday.

Franzen (leg spasms) missed Saturday's game but he took the pregame warmups, so he's close.

Howard is considered day-to-day with a minor groin tweak, but these types of injuries tend to linger for a week or so. If he can't play Tuesday, Jonas Gustavsson, coming off his first shutout as a Red Wing, will get the call.

4. Habs on top, should provide good test

The Red Wings visit Eastern Conference-leading Montreal on Tuesday. The Canadiens are 5-1-0, but have an even goal differential because they've won four games by one goal and were blown out 7-1 by Tampa Bay.

Goaltender Carey Price is 4-1, but hasn't been overly impressive, with a 3.38 goals-against average and .890 save percentage.

The teams split their four games last season, the Canadiens winning the final two meetings (5-4 and 5-3).

5. Another shot at snapping the Philly futility streak

The last time the Red Wings won in Philadelphia they were still trying to end a Stanley Cup drought that had reached 42 seasons. They'll get another opportunity on Saturday.

Detroit has lost eight consecutive games in Philadelphia, getting outscored 33-13 since winning Games 1 and 2 of the 1997 Cup finals there. The Red Wings haven't won a regular season game in Philly since Jan. 25, 1997 (4-1).

The Flyers are 1-2-2.

-- Download the Detroit Red Wings on MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Ansar Khan and Brendan Savage on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Detroit Red Wings Facebook page