Red Wings may add Datsyuk, Draper to lineup as they seek bounce-back win against Penguins

Red Wings reloading for Game 4, Datsyuk might play

PITTSBURGH — What do you do when your lead in the Stanley Cup finals has been cut in half?

When you are the defending champion Detroit Red Wings, you add an NHL MVP finalist and another four-time Stanley Cup winner to your already power-packed lineup.

The Red Wings got back on the practice ice Wednesday after a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins the night before trimmed their finals lead to 2-1. They were joined by forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Kris Draper, who seem to be in line to make their debuts in the series.

Datsyuk hoped he would be ready to return Thursday night when the series resumes in Pittsburgh. Draper is more of a sure thing, coach Mike Babcock said.

Datsyuk, a finalist for the Hart Trophy (MVP), the Selke Trophy (best defensive forward), and the Lady Byng Trophy (skill and gentlemanly play), has been out since injuring a foot during Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. He was the Red Wings’ leading scorer in the regular season with 97 points, including 32 goals, and would provide quite a lift.

His playing status will be determined after Thursday’s morning skate.

“I remember just that I blocked a shot, this is all, but I’m so happy I did my job,” Datsyuk said of his injury. “Now every day it feels better and better, and I hope it’s going to help me.

“I tell you, this is not fun to watch. I take in lots of beer.”

His teammates and coach are quite excited to have him back. Don’t let Detroit’s 4-2 mark without him fool you.

“He’s a Hart Trophy candidate. He’s one of the best players in the world. Obviously, we’d like to have him,” Babcock said. “It’s one of those injuries. You have some situations at playoff time, and we have to find a way to overcome, we’ve done a good job.

“I thought we needed him the day we lost him against Chicago and I think we’ve needed him every game since. Guys have stepped up, done a real good job and given us an opportunity.”

Draper has been limited to only four games in these playoffs. He has sat out five straight following a groin injury, but could have returned on Tuesday. Babcock decided to keep him out a little longer.

The Red Wings find themselves in the same place as last year’s finals against the Penguins. After two straight home wins, Detroit dropped Game 3 in Pittsburgh.

No longer in awe or overwhelmed by the big stage, the Penguins have felt better about their position this time around as opposed to last year.

Sure they dropped the first two games in Detroit in back-to-back years, but the Penguins were never in those contests in 2008 when they were shut out twice. Pittsburgh returned home in this series, thinking it played well enough to win.

The Penguins broke through in Game 3 on Tuesday night, and they believe they won despite playing their worst game of the series. A good performance Thursday night in Game 4 could put Pittsburgh even with the Red Wings before the finals head back to Motown.

“Last year, coming back home, yes, we won Game 3, but I remember coming back home where we’re not as confident,” Penguins forward Max Talbot said. “They dominated us. They shut us down the first two games. This year, I felt like we competed way better. We had chances to win both games. We come back, we won Game 3 like last year.

“We know how big this Game 4 is now, because we lost it last year, and it was hard to come back from a 3-1 deficit. This year we’re just a little bit more aware. We know we need to win this game.”

Evgeni Malkin is healthier this year in the rematch and is producing as he should, considering he is also a finalist for league MVP honors.

If the goals keep coming, and Sidney Crosby can get into the action after being held to just one assist in three games, the summer could be one of celebration for the Penguins.

“We’re a lot happier with the way we’ve played,” Crosby said. “Last year first two games I look back on those and we weren’t happy at all. We knew we had a lot of work to do. We hadn’t found our game yet.

“I feel like at this point we know what it takes. We know what makes us successful, and we’ve been pretty consistent at doing that.”