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Pavel Datsyuk back in action for Red Wings

Los Angeles Kings v Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT, MI - DECEMBER 17: Pavel Datsyuk #13 of the Detroit Red Wings carries the puck as Colin Fraser #24 of the Los Angeles Kings defends during their NHL game at Joe Louis Arena on December 17, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Sandford Getty Images)

Dave Sandford

After one unnerving 5-1 loss to the New York Islanders, the Detroit Red Wings are being treated to the welcome sight of Pavel Datsyuk being back in uniform tonight.

It’s not all good news because roving reclamation project Todd Bertuzzi took his place off the ice thanks to an undisclosed injury. Something tells me that the Red Wings will gladly take that trade, even if they’d ideally prefer to have both forwards in the lineup.

Datsyuk has 43 points in 41 games this season after starting off slowly - for him, at least. Injuries were a big issue for the dazzling Russian in 2010-11, as he played in just 56 games after appearing in 80+ regular season contests in each of the previous three seasons.