Reilly-Smith-Tomas-Jurco

Red Wings forward Tomas Jurco is the only current roster player exempt from waivers, so he can be sent down if they need a roster spot.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings, without Pavel Datsyuk, have played well in a pair of games against the NHL's top two teams from the 2013-14 regular season, Boston and Anaheim.

The Red Wings feel they should have more than two points to show for it, following Saturday's non-penalty call in the final minute prior to Ryan Getzlaf's winning goal for the Ducks.

But these things have a way of evening out over a long season.

Here are five things to watch this week:

1. When will Pavel Datsyuk return?

He has been skating for several days with teammates but hasn't been cleared for contact. He was estimated to be out about four weeks when he suffered a separated right shoulder in the preseason opener on Sept. 22, so it could be another week before he returns.

2. When Datsyuk returns, who will he replace on the roster?

If there is no new injury when Datsyuk is ready, the Red Wings will need to trim a player. Here are some options:

They could waive rookie Andrej Nestrasil for the purpose of assigning him to the Grand Rapids Griffins. But this would be a risky move. With his size (6-3, 200) and skills, Nestrasil could get claimed. The Red Wings wouldn't want to lose him for nothing.

They could send down Tomas Jurco, their only waiver-exempt player, to buy some time until an injury frees up a spot. This seems the most likely course of action. Jurco's play over the next few games might determine if they go this route.

They could waive veteran Daniel Cleary, who struggled in the preseason and has been a healthy scratch the first two games.

They could waive defenseman Brian Lashoff and carry 15 forwards and six defensemen, at least until they have an injury on the blue line.

Stephen Weiss, another healthy scratch the first two games, can't be waived because he has a no-movement clause.

3. The Bruins are back in town Wednesday

Due to a quirk in the schedule, two of the Red Wings' first three games are against Boston at Joe Louis Arena.

This time, the Bruins will be rested, not having to play the night before. But this has been a good regular season matchup for the Red Wings, who have won four in a row from the Bruins, outscoring them 14-6, and are 8-1 in their past nine vs. Boston.

Jimmy Howard is 5-1-0 lifetime vs. the Bruins in the regular season, with a 1.97 goals-against average and .934 save percentage. Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask is 1-5-1 vs. Detroit in the regular season.

The Bruins (1-2) have scored only three goals in three games. They host the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.

4. Home and home series with Toronto on tap



The Red Wings will get their first look at another Atlantic Division rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Air Canada Centre and 7 p.m. Saturday at JLA.

Jonas Gustavsson likely will start one of the games in goal for Detroit. He went 16-5-4 last season.

Detroit was 3-0-1 vs. Toronto in 2013-14, with two of the games decided in a shootout.

After losing their first two games, the Maple Leafs notched their first win on Sunday, 6-3 at the New York Rangers. Toronto has allowed 12 goals in three games.

Former Red Wing Brendan Shanahan took over as Maple Leafs president in April.

5. When will Daniel Alfredsson decide on future?

The chances that Alfredsson will return for one more season are diminishing each week.

He had been skating by himself at Joe Louis Arena a week ago, gauging whether his back will allow him to return. But he hasn't been on the ice lately.

The Red Wings are giving him the time he needs to make a decision.

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