GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Detroit Red Wings have a few lineup changes tonight as they look to extend their four-game winning streak against the last team that defeated them, the Phoenix Coyotes.

Jimmy Howard is back in goal after missing three games with a bruised left (catching) hand. Brendan Smith, replacing the injured Niklas Kronwall (day-to-day, mild concussion), returns after being a healthy scratch the past four games due to a mistake-prone start. Mikael Samuelsson is back in on the fourth line, replacing Jordin Tootoo.

Kronwall said he feels much better after having his head slammed into the glass on a hit by Colorado’s Cody McLeod at 2:13 of the first period Thursday. He rode the bike for 30 minutes today but did not skate. He’s not sure when he’ll return but hopes to skate as early as Monday.

Kronwall had played in 138 consecutive regular season games, since missing the final five games of the 2010-11 season with a shoulder injury.

“He’s a good player, so you play without him and everyone else gets an opportunity to get more opportunity, so here’s an opportunity for you to grab a bigger piece of the game,’’ coach Mike Babcock said. “I like it, Smitty gets back in, let’s see what he can do and let’s see what the other guys do with the opportunity.’’

Danny DeKeyser will start the game in Kronwall’s spot, paired with Jonathan Ericsson. Jakub Kindl will take Kronwall’s place on the top power-play unit. Samuelsson will be on the second power-play unit.

“Not because Toots did anything wrong,’’ Babcock said. “Without Kronner on the power play we want to put Sammy in to have a power play guy.’’

Daniel Alfredsson will start the game on the top line with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. They played together in the third period Thursday.

“Anytime you miss (part of) training camp (with a sore groin) it’s going to take you time,’’ Babcock said of Alfredsson. “When you’re 40 and you miss training camp it’s going to take you more time. And obviously a new city and new situation. He looks to me like he’s doing fine. I think he’s been fine the whole time.’’

Here are the lines and defense pairings they’ll start with:

Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk-Daniel Alfredsson

Johan Franzen-Stephen Weiss-Justin Abdelkader

Daniel Cleary-Joakim Andersson-Todd Bertuzzi

Drew Miller-Luke Glendening-Mikael Samuelsson

Danny DeKeyser-Jonathan Ericsson

Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith

Jakub Kindl-Brian Lashoff

Jimmy Howard (starting)

Jonas Gustavsson

Healthy scratches: Jordin Tootoo, Tomas Tatar.

Patrick Eaves (injured reserve, sprained knee) also skated.

Phoenix (4-2-2) beat the Red Wings (6-2-0) 4-2 on Oct. 10 at Joe Louis Arena. The Coyotes dominated the faceoff circle, willing 46-of-70 draws (66 percent).

“They lit us up last time,'' Babcock said. "f you want to chase the puck all night just let them win all the draws. If you want to have the puck you got to win faceoffs, so we have to compete in that area.’’

Phoenix ranks fourth in the NHL in faceoff percentage (55.2). Detroit is 15th (50.5).

Babcock also wants his team to limit shots against. The Red Wings allowed a season-high 40 in Thursday's 4-2 win over Colorado and have surrendered 30 or more in six consecutive games. That's their longest such streak since giving up 30 or more shots in seven consecutive games from Jan. 2-16, 2010.

"My big thing is we're giving up too many shots,'' Babcock said. " don't think it's our play without the puck as much as it is our play with the puck. We don't take care of the puck enough.

"Lots of shifts in hockey are 50-50, we got to be more patient with the puck, so we'll be better without the puck.''

Here are the Coyotes' anticipated lines and defense pairs:

Rob Klinkhammer – Antoine Vermette – Shane Doan

Mikkel Boedker – Martin Hanzal – Radim Vrbata

Lauri Korpikoski – Mike Ribiero – David Moss

Kyle Chipchura– Jeff Halpern – Paul Bissonnette

Zbynek Michalek – Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Keith Yandle – Derek Morris

David Schlemko – Rostislav Klesla

Mike Smith (starting)

Thomas Greiss

Scratched: Michael Stone, Tim Kennedy, David Rundblad