Pavel Datsyuk, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery this week, hopes to be back in the lineup in two weeks. (Photo by Dave Reginek)

Pavel Datsyuk said Thursday that he felt a little off following last Sunday’s home win over San Jose.

“Maybe it was bothering me a little bit (before), but not like what happened in San Jose game,” said Datsyuk, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery at the Detroit Medical Center on Tuesday. “I felt something in my leg, needed to check it.”

Despite a slow start, Datsyuk is having a Hart Trophy-like season, collecting 14 goals and 48 points in his last 42 games. One of, if not the best, two-way forwards in the NHL, Datsyuk is second in the league with 81 takeaways.

The surgery was necessary as doctors cleaned up some loose cartilage in his right knee. It’s expected that Datsyuk will miss at least two weeks, bit no more than three weeks.

“The doctor said after being in there it was something that needed to be done,” general manager Ken Holland said. “Our concern was Pav complained (Monday) and I don't know if he complained much before. With two months to go before the playoffs start – fortunately we've had a good run – we've got some points banked away. The timing couldn't have been better.”

Datsyuk was at Joe Louis Arena for the Wings’ Thursday morning game. He did a light off-ice workout, and indicated that he didn’t think returning to the ice Friday was out of the question, saying, “Maybe not. We’ll see.”

Either way, Datsyuk said that he’ll continue with the off-ice work with an eye on returning in two weeks.

“No time to relax,” he said. “No free tickets to Florida, I need to work out.”