GLENDALE, Ariz. – Taylor Pyatt leveled Nicklas Lidstrom in the first period and took out Patrick Eaves with a hit to the head in the third.

The Phoenix Coyotes stepped up their physical play in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings at Jobing.com Arena.

It did them no good, however. Lidstrom, who rarely gets leveled the way Pyatt hit him, was undeterred. And Eaves, who left the game with 14:25 to play in the third period, is fine and said he'll be ready for Game 4 on Wednesday.

Lidstrom also was cross-checked in the back by Shane Doan. But he doesn't believe he was being specifically targeted by the Coyotes.

“They were just trying to make contract on most of the forechecks,'' Lidstrom said.

Teammate Drew Miller isn't so sure that was Phoenix's only motive.

“Definitely, you try to take away the leader (Lidstrom) and go after him,'' Miller said. “They're behind, trying to fight their way back in. They're going to do what they can to get back into it.''

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock liked how his team responded in their 4-2 win.

“We're just going to play,'' Babcock said. “I didn't think we were as physical as we had been the other two games. We didn't spend as much time in the offensive zone. That's how I how (define) physical play, it's not (scrums) after the whistle. That's wasted energy.''

Eaves said he didn't see what appeared to be a blindside hit to the head from Pyatt and didn't want to comment on it. The NHL-mandated 15-minute cooling off period forced him to stay off the ice.

“They just have to do that protocol, memory stuff,'' Eaves said. “I didn't think I needed it, but that's the way things are now. They're trying to protect players.''

Said Babcock: “I must have asked the trainer 15 times if we had the slowest clock in the world. I'll give them my clock tomorrow and It'll be more like seven (minutes).''

Miller wants to be a lineup fixture

Miller is determined to stay in the lineup.

The grinding forward was a healthy scratch 15 times during the regular season, often rotating with Kris Draper, due to the team's depth. But now he's even beaten out a future Hall of Famer, Mike Modano, for a regular spot.

Miller is off to a strong start in the playoffs. He assisted on a goal by Jiri Hudler in Game 1 vs. Phoenix and scored a goal in Game 3 Monday.

“Some of the guys are laughing that I haven't scored a goal by a shot yet this year,'' Miller said. “But I'll take whatever I can. Sometimes dirty, garbage goals are the fun ones.''

When Henrik Zetterberg returns from his knee injury, the Red Wings will need to scratch another forward, if they don't have any more injuries.

Miller is doing what he can to make sure he's not the odd-man out.

Franzen dons visor, scores goal

Red Wings forward Johan Franzen, who has a sore left ankle in addition to his facial injuries suffered in Game 2, wasn't cleared to play in Game 3 until after the pregame skate.

“It's just one of those things, we got to be sure,'' Babcock said. “We're in a good situation, so you can afford to be smart with what you're doing.''

Franzen said he never had any doubt he would play. He even scored on a breakaway.

“I'm just confident coming into the playoffs,'' Franzen said. “It's been good for me before and I'm just feeling comfortable.''

He donned a visor to protect a gash on his forehead, after being slammed into the boards on a check from Doan on Saturday.

“His face seems to be fine,'' Babcock said before the game. “It's a tough play, he got high-sticked in the face by (Eric) Belanger on the way down. His head hit the boards, which probably for most people that would hurt. We're lucky he's the Mule and he should be fine.''

Zetterberg making progress

Henrik Zetterberg participated in the morning skate Monday and appears to be progressing well from his sprained left knee. He isn't expected to return until Game 6, at the earliest, if at all in the series.

“Anytime you come back from an ankle injury or any kind of leg injury or a shoulder, when you tweak it the first time you panic,'' Babcock said. “I think that's what happened to him (Saturday morning). He was out for five minutes, tweaked it, then came off, skated for 30 minutes and felt better the next day.

“That's usually the process. You come back from injury you're going to tweak stuff but to know it's momentary, not long-term, is the issue. And then you just fight through it, and eventually when he's ready he'll tell us.''

Lidstrom nominated for King Clancy Trophy

Lidstrom has been selected by his teammates as the Red Wings 2010-11 King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominee.

The award is presented to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy contribution in his community. The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards Show June 22 in Las Vegas.