DETROIT – Pavel Datsyuk will not make the trip to Florida for two games this week, Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock told reporters on Wednesday.
Datsyuk has a lower body injury, the coach said.
The 36-year-old star center has 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points in 57 games with the Red Wings this season. He played just less than 16 minutes in Sunday's 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording an assist. He usually averages a few minutes more of ice time.
The Red Wings (38-19-11, 3rd in Atlantic Division) will play back-to-back games beginning Thursday against the Florida Panthers, then they'll head across the state to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday. They will be back in Detroit on Sunday to host the St. Louis Blues at noon (on NBC).