Update (1:30 PM): Bill’s got some comments on Allen’s Zetterberg tweet here.

I will say that while the groin angle may apply, chances are he wouldn’t be playing at all if it were too much of an issue. Or at least he wouldn’t have been prior to the Franzen injury, when they could have let him rest up. I think he’s healthy and just having a slow start.

He also said this on Twitter:

I’m betting Datsyuk’s hurt worse than “day to day”, and I doubt it just cropped up Tuesday night.

Agreed. It would certainly explain Pavel’s slow start. That said, assuming Bill’s right, why wouldn’t the team just come out with it? They didn’t screw around with the Franzen injury. Why not be forthright on Datsyuk? – Matt

Update (1:00 PM): One more from Kevin Allen on Twitter:

Pavel #Datsyuk is definitely not playing tonight, and the Red Wings definitely aren’t saying what his injury is.

I don’t like the sound of that. May just be worded poorly, but it makes it seem like he could be in worse shape than the team’s letting on. Yay. – Matt

Update (12:54 PM): Kevin Allen via Twitter:

Talking this morning about the Red Wings’ early struggles Mike Babcock: “(Zetterberg) has to get to another level — that’s the bottom line”

Yep.

Also, as a reminder, I plan on livetweeting the game again: @OtW_InGame. – Matt

… First off, Pavel Datsyuk’s out tonight, but remains only day-to-day, which is good news. He’ll be replaced on the top line by Dan Cleary. The rest of the lines should shake out like this:

Leino-Filppula-Williams
Helm-Abdelkader-Eaves
Holmstrom-Draper-Maltby

May is out.

… Brett Lebda will be back on defense.

… Osgood’s in net.

… The Wings’ll look to rebound from their awful performance in Buffalo Tuesday night. Losing Datsyuk will hamper that effort, even though he’s been unlike himself to the point of invisibility so far this season.

… While the return of Lebda is being laughed at in some circles, I think it’ll actually provide a boost in the bottom end of the lineup. He knows he’s in a fight for his spot and should play with an edge tonight (at least as much as he’s capable of). He’ll be better tonight.

… The Kings are coming off a loss last night in New York. They’d won their previous four games going in to their matchup with the Rangers and lead the Pacific Division with 8 points. They’re still a long way from the playoffs, but they are looking improved. It’s not correct to think of them as pushovers any more.

That said, the Wings should be able to handle them, all being right in the world. Not only did they play last night, they also should be no match for the Wings’ talent and drive, assuming both show up.

… Jonathan Quick is the expected starter.

… Anze Kopitar is fourth in the League in points with 10 in 8.

… Here’s hoping a return to local broadcasting restores the Wings who failed to show up for the “national” one on Tuesday.

… Sorry for the bare-bones post: busy day at work.