Russia's Datsyuk out vs. Finland with 'small injury'

Russia's attempt to reach the semifinals will not be aided by forward Pavel Datsyuk.

The 38-year-old will sit out Thursday's contest against Finland as he deals with what Russian head coach Oleg Znarok is calling a 'small injury', according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

NHL.com's Tom Gulitti reports that the injury in question appears to be lower-body. With Datsyuk out, forward Vadim Shipachyov will draw back into the lineup.

Datsyuk had most recently been centering a line between Alex Ovechkin and Vladimir Tarasenko.

The Russians need a win in any fashion in order to advance to the playoff round.