ANAHEIM – Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said center Nate Thompson will play in Game 7 against Edmonton on Wednesday night after his status was in some question when he didn’t practice Tuesday.

Thompson got banged up in Game 6 and didn’t play after three minutes remained in the second period as the Ducks lost, 7-1. Carlyle said the veteran’s absence Tuesday was a “maintenance” day.

Kevin Bieksa will be an option for Carlyle to use on defense, but only if he gains full clearance from the team’s medical staff, the coach said. Bieksa, who hasn’t played since suffering an apparent leg injury in Game 1, has stepped up in his skating in the last two days.

Clayton Stoner has practiced regularly with the Ducks and Simon Despres has skated before their official workout the last two days. Neither has played for them in months and Despres, in particular, is not considered an option as he has been out since suffering another concussion in the season opener.

Unless Bieksa draws in, the Ducks have their six on the blue line – Cam Fowler, Sami Vatanen, Hampus Lindholm, Brandon Montour, Josh Manson and Shea Theodore.

“Injuries are part of the game,” Fowler said. “To have them at the same time is difficult. But I think I’ve talked a lot about the young guys, especially on the back end, that have stepped in and played a critical role. That’s part of a winning hockey team.

“Having depth like that and guys that you have confidence in that can step in and play no matter what the situation is. We’ve gotten contributions from those guys so that’s a really good sign.”

Forwards Patrick Eaves and Logan Shaw will not play. Eaves continues to walk with the aid of crutches after getting hurt in Game 3. Shaw is hobbling with a lower-body injury incurred while shooting the puck in the first overtime of Game 5.

If he has fully recovered from a lower-body injury, Ondrej Kase could be a possibility as another winger with some playmaking ability that could go on the third line and add some forward depth. Kase was hurt on a cross check from Edmonton’s Milan Lucic in Game 4.