DETROIT -- Back issues continue to keep Detroit Red Wings forwards Darren Helm and Todd Bertuzzi out of practice and out of the lineup.

The pair did not skate Tuesday and won't play Wednesday against the St. Louis Blues at Joe Louis Arena.

"They’re not available to us,'' coach Mike Babcock said. "Bert they’re hoping is going to turn the corner here and he hasn’t at all, and Helmer, I saw him walk in here today and I haven’t seen him since so he must not be very close.''

Bertuzzi will be sitting out for the third game in a row. Helm, who has played in only one game, hasn't skated since Jan. 26.



Babcock said he expects to dress the same lineup against the Blues that he used over the weekend in wins against Edmonton and Los Angeles.

Forward Mikael Samuelsson and goaltender Jonas Gustavsson practiced with the team Tuesday, but neither will dress for Wednesday's game.

"I feel better and better each day. I feel really close,'' Samuelsson, who has been out since Jan. 22, said.

He said he might be ready to play this weekend. But, then Babcock said to him, “Sammy, are you really getting ready here for the weekend?''

Samuelsson's reponse was: “No.”

Said Babcock: "We’ll see how he does. We’ve got to hope for no setbacks. We’ll push him hard this week. We’d love to have him back. He’s a big body, can shoot the puck and knows how to play. He can be an important player for us.''

Gustavsson was glad to be sharing a net with rookie Petr Mrazek.

"Maybe a few practices and then I'll be good to go,'' Gustavsson said. "I've been feeling good every time I've been on the ice now. I've been trying to push harder and harder.

"Today was the first practice with the guys. That felt good. When you're out there with (goaltending coach Jim Bedard) it's more like controlled movements. When you have players out there you try to stop the puck when you're not in maybe perfect balance. That's when you get a good test and that felt good today. Maybe the next practice I try to make some more shots and then I'm good to go. It's always tough to say exactly what game I'll be back.''

They practiced with the same line combinations and defense pairings they used on Sunday:

Johan Franzen-Henrik Zetterberg-Damien Brunner

Valtteri Filppula-Pavel Datsyuk-Daniel Cleary

Joakim Andersson-Justin Abdelakder-Tomas Tatar

Drew Miller-Cory Emmerton-Jordin Tootoo

Also: Patrick Eaves, Mikael Samuelsson, Jan Mursak

Niklas Kronwall-Brian Lashoff

Jonathan Ericsson-Ian White

Kyle Quincey-Jakub Kindl

Kent Huskins

Carlo Colaiacovo also practiced but isn't expected to return for another week or two.

Jimmy Howard (starting Wednesday)

Petr Mrazek

Jonas Gustavsson