Pavel-Datsyuk-Henrik-Zetterberg-Carolina.JPG

Carolina's Eric Staal (center) didn't separate Pavel Datsyuk (left) and Henrik Zetterberg, Red Wings coach Mike Babcock did.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg managed to stay on the same line for 11 games. But with the Detroit Red Wings struggling to score goals, coach Mike Babcock has split up his dynamic duo for Saturday’s game against the New York Rangers at Joe Louis Arena (7 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

“Could be a record, what was it, 10 games (11, actually)?’’ Zetterberg said after practice Friday. “I think Babs was pretty up front about it; we will be playing together until he needs to switch it up and now it’s time.

“I’m pretty sure we’ll play together here at some point in time. But when we’ve been losing games like we have, haven’t been scoring much, we have to try something different.’’

Datsyuk will play on a line with Daniel Alfredsson and Todd Bertuzzi, Zetterberg will center a line with Johan Franzen and Tomas Tatar.

“It’s not going,’’ Babcock said. “I told them and you guys I wasn’t going to split them up and 11 games in I’m splitting them up. It wasn’t by plan and not necessarily what I wanted to do, but we need to.’’

The Red Wings have scored just three goals in three games, going 0-2-1. They are averaging only 2.24 goals per game, which ranks 23rd in the NHL. That’s worse than where they finished last season (tied for 19th at 2.54 goals per game).

“We think we need more going,’’ Babcock said. “It’s too easy to shut down one or two guys. You need a team going.

“Right now we need Alfie, and we need Mule and a whole bunch of guys to score.’’

Babcock is hoping Datsyuk and Zetterberg can spark their linemates. Alfredsson has nine points in 11 games, but only one goal. Franzen has just two goals, both in the 4-2 win at Colorado on Oct. 17, and five points.

“We haven’t gotten that much with playing with those guys (Datsyuk and Zetterberg together), so maybe if we get them playing with those (other) guys as well then we get four guys scoring and the other guys contributing more on a regular basis and then we become a better hockey team,’’ Babcock said. “That’s the plan.’’

Datsyuk and Zetterberg remain together on the top power play unit, along with Bertuzzi. Niklas Kronwall and Alfredsson are at the points. Stephen Weiss is back on the second power play unit, with Franzen and Tatar. Jakub Kindl and Danny DeKeyser are manning the points.

Here are the line combinations and defense pairings they skated with today and plan to use Saturday:

Todd Bertuzzi-Pavel Datsyuk-Daniel Alfredsson

Johan Franzen-Henrik Zetterberg-Tomas Tatar

Daniel Cleary-Stephen Weiss-Justin Abdelkader

Drew Miller-Joakim Andersson-Jordin Tootoo/Mikael Samuelsson

Niklas Kronwall-Brendan Smith

Kyle Quincey-Danny DeKeyser

Brian Lashoff-Jakub Kindl

Jimmy Howard (starting)

Jonas Gustavsson

Right wing Patrick Eaves has been cleared to play but won’t dress Saturday, Babcock said. Eaves has been out since Sept. 19, when he suffered a sprained MCL and sprained ankle during a collision in practice. The club did not need to clear a roster spot or salary-cap space to activate him from long-term injured reserve.

Center Darren Helm practiced but did not take part in the sprint drills at the end due to his sore groin. He is expected to be ready at some point during the four-game Western Canada road trip that starts Wednesday in Vancouver.