TORONTO -- Team Russia was without veteran forward Pavel Datsyuk against Team Finland on Thursday because of a minor injury.
Datsyuk, 38, sustained a lower-body injury during Wednesday's practice and left the ice. Russia needs to beat Finland in order to advance to the semifinals of the World Cup of Hockey. If Finland wins, then Team North America, a team of 23-and-under players, will advance to the semifinals.
In Datsyuk's absence, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who has started all three games for Russia in this best-on-best tournament, will need to be on top of his game against Finland. He has stopped 70 of 75 shots so far.