DETROIT -- Quick update from the Detroit Red Wings' morning skate today, prior to tonight's Game 4 against the Anaheim Ducks at Joe Louis Arena (8 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit):

Todd Bertuzzi will return to the lineup in place of the suspended Justin Abdelkader, but Mikael Samuelsson will take Abdelkader's spot on the top line with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, coach Mike Babcock said, at least to start the game.

Samuelsson returned to the lineup in Game 3, after being out since March 31 due to a strained pectoral muscle. He called playing on the top line is a good opportunity that will be fun.

"I'm excited about it,'' Samuelsson said. "I've played with good players. I know what they're capable of and I'll try to find some open spots.

“They like to carry the puck up (the ice). You have to be ready for it as soon as it comes to you. Hopefully. you get some chances.''

Zetterberg has played many games with Samuelsson on his line during the right wing's previous stint in Detroit, from 2005-09.

"He’s a big, strong guy with a good shot,'' Zetterberg said. "I haven’t played with him for a while. When he was here (before), we worked really well.

"He’s quick and he’s strong. He sees the ice pretty well so he’ll be a good fit.''

Babcock didn't rule out putting Bertuzzi on the top line as the game progresses.

"After watching the last game, we never got to the net, never shot the puck, weren’t on the inside and weren’t heavy enough,'' Babcock said. "All those things, that’s a challenge for our whole team, not just Samuelsson.''

Babcock said he talked to the team leaders before deciding on starting Samuelsson on the top line.

"Now we’re going to watch and see what happens,'' Babcock said. "The bottom line is Abby has been real important for us in the series, he’s been important for us all year long, he’s become a good player for us and he’s not available.

"Part of playoff hockey is you lose guys along the way. Just like (Danny) DeKeyser and (Drew) Miller, you just have to keep playing. That’s what the good teams do.

"Samuelsson hasn’t played, Bert hasn’t played. I’m well aware of that. They get their opportunity. They’ve got to make a difference.''

Bertuzzi made his series debut in Game 2, after being out since Feb. 7 (back/leg). He was scratched in Game 3.

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

Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk-Mikael Samuelsson

Johan Franzen-Valtteri Filppula-Daniel Cleary

Gustav Nyquist-Joakim Andersson-Damien Brunner

Patrick Eaves-Cory Emmerton-Todd Bertuzzi

Jordin Tootoo (scratched), Justin Abdelkader (suspended)

Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson

Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith

Brian Lashoff-Jakub Kindl

Ian White, Carlo Colaiacovo (scratched)

Jimmy Howard (starting)

Jonas Gustavsson