DETROIT -- As the Detroit Red Wings’ eighth defenseman, Derek Meech has little chance of cracking the lineup anytime soon. But as their 12th forward, he has an opportunity to contribute, even if it’s for only a few minutes a game.

So while Meech would prefer to play defense, his regular position, he embraces every chance he gets to play forward.

Meech will fill in again Tuesday for the injured Dan Cleary against the Edmonton Oilers at Joe Louis Arena.

This time, he will look to provide speed and energy on the fourth line with Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves, replacing Kris Draper, who was moved to the third line with Drew Miller and Jason Williams.

“He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s hard on the puck,” Eaves said. “We practiced (Monday) for the first time together. There’s chemistry there already. We’re really fortunate he could step in and play forward at this level. We’re not going to miss a beat.”

Said Meech: “It’s going to be good playing with those two. They’re hard-working guys, got a lot of speed. Hopefully, we can create some chances.”

Injuries to Andreas Lilja and Niklas Kronwall allowed Meech to regularly play on defense from late November to the Olympic break in February. Now, the club has seven healthy defensemen ahead of Meech but only 12 forwards on the roster because of to salary-cap constraints.

Meech, who played several games at forward last season, gets tabbed to play up front whenever there is an injury.

“He’s making the best of a situation that at times hasn’t been very positive for him,” coach Mike Babcock said. “Would he like to play 20 minutes a night, play on D every night? He would. Ideally, one day, it’ll work out for him. But right now, to help us, that’s not his role.

“He has been positive all the time, even when he doesn’t play. The guys really like him and he competes hard.”

Cleary aims for Thursday return

Cleary plans on skating the next couple of days in hopes of returning Thursday at home against Columbus. But there always is a danger of reaggravating this type of injury, as he did Friday against Minnesota, and being shelved longer. So the club will be cautious.

Cleary said an MRI showed swelling and fluid, but no torn muscles.

“It’s feeling better each day, but nobody knows until you’re on the ice,” Cleary said.

Meech is prepared to play forward the final seven games of the regular season, if needed.

“With that injury, it’s something you don’t want to rush,” Meech said. “He’s got to make sure he’s 100 percent come playoff time. I’m going to be in there to support the guys and chip in any way I can.”

The Red Wings don’t have the salary-cap space to recall anybody from Grand Rapids. And players can’t be placed on long-term injured reserve with less than 10 games remaining in the season (the minimum number of games a player on LTIR must sit out) unless they’re done for the entire playoffs.

There is no roster limit or cap restriction in the playoffs, enabling teams to bring up whomever they please from the minors.

Red Wings try to solve Oilers

Edmonton has the worst record in the NHL, by far, but the Oilers are 3-0 against the Red Wings, including a pair of shootout wins.

“They beat us like a rented mule,” Babcock said. “They just slap us around every time we play them. We’re usually down two after about six minutes. So we’re hoping they’re going to let us touch the puck (Tuesday).”

Jimmy Howard will make his 23rd consecutive start, the longest streak by a Detroit rookie goaltender since Roy Edwards started 23 in a row in 1967-68.

Howard was named the NHL’s second star of the week after going 4-0-0, with a 1.22 goals-against average and .958 save percentage.