Red Wings outlook: Jonas Gustavsson.jpg

Jonas Gustavsson will make his second preseason start for the Red Wings and will play the whole game vs. the Bruins.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – Here are the Detroit Red Wings' lines and defense pairings for tonight's preseason game against the Boston Bruins at Joe Louis Arena (7 p.m., no TV or radio):

Johan Franzen-Henrik Zetterberg-Gustav Nyquist

Kevin Porter-Stephen Weiss-Teemu Pulkkinen

Mitch Callahan-Luke Glendening-Landon Ferraro

Louis-Marc Aubry-Andreas Athanasiou-Colin Campbell

Danny DeKeyser-Jakub Kindl

Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith

Brian Lashoff-Mattias Backman

Jonas Gustavsson (playing entire game)

Petr Mrazek

"Nyquie's got to get going, Mule's got to get going, Z's got to get going," coach Mike Babcock said. "Now, we can say they played one game. In their mind they got to get going by Oct. 9 (season opener). It's a process to get yourself to where you feel real good. That's what they're trying to do.

"Weisser is another one of those guys. We need Weisser to find his game over the next while. So that's why we play every guy about four (preseason) games to get them ready to go."

Helm (groin) day to day; Sproul ready



Darren Helm didn't skate today, after leaving practice early on Friday due to a sore groin that kept him off ice for a couple of days before training camp. The team is being cautious.

"We don't need any groin issues this time of the year," general manager Ken Holland said.

Defenseman Ryan Sproul (strained left shoulder) has skated the past two days and said he's hoping to play Monday.

"It feels back to normal, so if I'm in the lineup Monday I can play," Sproul said.

Alfredsson feeling better

Holland said there is nothing new to report on Daniel Alfredsson, who hasn't skated with the team in about three weeks due to back pain.

"I saw him yesterday, he said he's feeling better every day and if he has a good weekend we'll talk on Monday," Holland said. "He's done lots on his own. He's in the process of evaluating himself."

Datsyuk back on the ice

Pavel Datsyuk (separated right shoulder) skated on his own Friday morning, the first step toward his recovery. He's expected to be out approximately four weeks after getting injured on Monday.

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