Henrik Zetterberg a game-time call

— -- DETROIT -- Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg on Wednesday participated in what he called his first full practice in months, opening the possibility of his return for Game 4 on Thursday.

Zetterberg, who hasn't played since leaving the Winter Olympics early to have back surgery, was officially listed as a game-time decision for Thursday night's game.

On Wednesday, he skated in the place of Pavel Datsyuk, whose wife was having a baby, and declined to put a timeline on his return.

"Still taking it day by day," Zetterberg said. "I still have to do some skating. This was nice. The playoffs you rarely have any practices, game-like practices or moments. Today was a good day of that. Hopefully, I can get some more of those in here."

Zetterberg skated again Thursday -- this time on a line with Datsyuk and  Justin Abdelkader. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said he worked him into the power play.

After practicing, Zetterberg left to meet with doctors to determine his availability against the Bruins.

"The doctors decide, not me," Babcock said after the skate. "I'm hopeful but who knows? We'll know at game time."

The Red Wings coach is managing expectations if Zetterberg does make his 2014 postseason debut.

"I can expect him to provide great leadership both in the room and on the ice," he said. "If we get nothing else, that's good enough."

The Bruins lead the Red Wings 2-1 in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series.