Red Wings centre Pavel Datsyuk has averaged more than 20 minutes of ice time in 13 games in this year's Stanley Cup playoffs. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping the return of star forward Pavel Datsyuk will help them answer a pair of road losses to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Datsyuk, who has yet to play in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup final, will suit up for Game 5 on Saturday at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

"Prior to [Thursday's Game 4] we were hoping he'd play, but not planning on it," Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock told reporters. "Now, we're hoping he'll play and planning on it."

With a 4-2 win on Thursday night, the Penguins evened the series 2-2.

Questions remain as to how effective Datsyuk will be after a 17-day absence from game action.

"The second thing is how does he do when he gets out there?" agreed Babcock. "He missed a chunk of time. Is he capable of [playing in all] situations? Is he playing on the wing or is he playing in the middle? You know, all those things.

"We'll see. I don't know the answer, and I'm being honest with you, just because until I see him play, I won't know."

At Saturday's morning skate, Datsyuk worked on the left wing on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen.

Babcock indicated that while he would begin with Datsyuk on the wing, his performance could dictate a quick change.

“We're going to start him that way and see how he does,” Babcock said. “If he looks himself, he'll be in the middle.”

Datsyuk was ready to contribute in any way possible.

“Always it’s coach’s decision, what he thinks is better for me,” Datsyuk said. “I want to play and help team. “I try to play as hard as possible, try to help team. It’s very important game for us.”

The 30-year-old, who topped Detroit with 97 points in the regular season, is one of the top two-way players in the NHL.

In 13 games in this year's playoffs, the Russian centre has seven points and averaged 20 minutes, 22 seconds of ice time. He had an assist in each of his three most recent games — Game 7 against Anaheim and Games 1 and 2 against Chicago — before missing the final three games of the Western Conference final and the first four of the Cup final.

Datsyuk has scored 22 goals and 61 points in 95 post-season contests in seven NHL seasons.