DETROIT — The good news for the Detroit Red Wings is they're getting back defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom and rookie Jonathan Ericsson for the Stanley Cup finals opener.

But the team again will be without injured forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Kris Draper on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"I feel better than yesterday," Datsyuk said after taking part in Saturday's morning skate. "I want to go so bad."

Lidstrom, the Red Wings captain, missed the last two victories of the Western Conference finals because of an undisclosed lower body injury. Ericsson will be back Saturday, just three days after having his appendix removed.

Detroit coach Mike Babcock says Datsyuk isn't ready to return from a foot injury that forced him to sit out the last three games.

"When he first gets on the ice, his foot is stiff and it takes a while for him to get going," Babcock said. "He's tried a few things and it hasn't responded.

"Our medical people are trying as hard as they can. He'll be back as soon as he can. That's all I can tell you."

Draper has played only four of Detroit's 16 playoff games. He was first sidelined by an upper-body injury and then by a sore groin that will keep him out for a third straight game.