DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock admitted that he's not sure why he is taking forward Patrick Eaves out of the lineup for Game 6 tonight against the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena, other than someone has to sit to make room for Justin Abdelkader.

But, it is quite clear why he is putting veteran Carlo Colaiacovo in on defense in place of Brian Lashoff.

"We didn't move the puck (in the 3-2 overtime loss in Game 5),'' Babcock said. "We struggled, in particular that pair (Lashoff and Jakub Kindl) a lot that game, opening shift and a number of other shifts. We weren't good enough so we're making a change.''

Trailing the series 3-2, the Red Wings face elimination. The game starts at 8 p.m. (Fox Sports Detroit).

Colaiacovo hasn't played since April 14, due mostly to the emergence of Danny DeKeyser. There is concern about putting in a player at this stage who has been idle for that long, but that's the chance you take.

“Lots of concern, just like the concern with had with Sammy (Mikael Samuelsson) and Bert (Todd Bertuzzi), guys that have been out for a long time,'' Babcock said. “You’re a pro, you’ve been practicing, here’s your opportunity, you can decide for yourself. If you’re mentally tough, it shouldn’t be an issue.''

Said Colaiacovo: "I think excited is a small word. It’s real gratifying. This is the biggest reason why I wanted to come here, to play at this time of the season for this team.''

Eaves has played well in the series, and it was difficult decision to scratch him.

“I ask myself the same question,'' Babcock said. “He played good, does what he’s supposed to, runs over people and a real competitive guy. But because I know more insider information that I’m not sharing with you, I have to have other guys to cover up for other people just in case they can’t survive.''

Abdelkader returns after serving a two-game suspension for his hit on Toni Lydman in Game 3.



Forward Daniel Cleary, who hurt his whole left side on the hit from Daniel Winnik in Game 5, is fine.

“If you’re hurt you have to come out and if you’re just banged up you have to play,'' Babcock said. “That’s not a big deal, you just keep playing.''

Goaltender Jimmy Howard was on the ice early but did not practice while the team skated, for fear of dehydration.

“Anytime it’s real humid, and we’ve done this a lot in the past, before we’d have a minor league goalie available, but that team made the playoffs so what we did was we skated (Howard) and gave him the boot,'' Babcock said.

Here are the anticipated lines and defense pairings:

Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk-Justin Abdelkader

Johan Franzen-Valtteri Filppula-Daniel Cleary

Gustav Nyquist-Joakim Andersson-Damien Brunner

Todd Bertuzzi-Cory Emmerton-Mikael Samuelsson

Jordin Tootoo and Patrick Eaves (scratched).

Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson

Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith

Carlo Colaiacovo-Jakub Kindl

Ian White, Brian Lashoff (scratched)

Jimmy Howard (starting)

Jonas Gustavsson

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said he is not making any lineup changes.