The Detroit Red Wings will again be without star center Pavel Datsyuk and starting goaltender Jimmy Howard when they host the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night.
Datsyuk will miss his sixth consecutive game with a lower-body injury. Howard hasn't played since leaving in the third period of Saturday's 4-2 win against Toronto with a left shoulder injury.
Both players hope to be back in the lineup on Saturday when Detroit visits Nashville.
"It's getting better," Howard said Wednesday. "Still a little stiff and soreness in there."
Thomas McCollum will back up Joey MacDonald against the Blues.
Forward Kris Draper and defenseman Ruslan Salei will be healthy scratches against the Blues.
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