DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brian Rafalski will sit out Saturday's game in Buffalo (7 p.m., FSD) due to back spasms.



Rafalski said it's nothing serious, just precautionary. He won't make the trip, but he'll hop on the team flight when it returns to Detroit after the game to drop off Johan Franzen, on the way to Los Angeles.





"Started in the first period (Thursday),'' Rafalski said. "We were able to keep it somewhat loose. Just trying to rest it to make sure it doesn't get any worse. It's not that bad.''

Franzen's wife, Cecilia, is expecting their first child on Saturday. Franzen still plans on playing in Buffalo but said he'll rush home if his wife goes in labor. In either case, Franzen will not accompany the team to Los Angeles and will miss Monday's game against the Kings. Franzen will join the club Wednesday in Anaheim.

“It (Buffalo) is pretty close, so there's a chance to get back if something happens,'' Franzen said. "I'm not risking going to California. Have the baby first and then I'll go out there.''

Said coach Mike Babcock: “For a guy like Mule, he's having his first one, it's as special as it comes, so we wish him well. It's real important (to be there). I didn't miss the birth of any of my (three) kids and I'm thankful for the opportunity of being there. It's much more important than hockey.''

Center Darren Helm did not practice Friday due to a sore left foot, the result of a blocked shot in Thursday's 4-1 loss to Dallas. Helm said it's nothing serious and he will play Saturday.

"Thought it would be a better idea to stay off the ice,'' Helm said. “I should be (able to play). I don't think it's that bad.''

Joey MacDonald will start in goal against the Sabres.

Mike Modano will return to the lineup, as planned. He has been out since Nov. 26, when he suffered a lacerated right wrist.

Valtteri Filppula (sprained left knee on Feb. 7) said he thinks he will play Saturday, but that will be determined after the morning skate.

"I feel good,'' Filppula said. "Hopefully it feels good tomorrow morning, that's always the biggest thing, how it feels the next morning.''

Jan Mursak was sent back to the Grand Rapids Griffins but could return if they're a player short Saturday.

Here are the lines they skated with Friday:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Hudler

Cleary-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi

Filppula-Modano-Holmstrom

Draper-Abdelkader-Miller

Lidstrom-Stuart

Ericsson-Kronwall

Kindl-Salei

MacDonald (starting)

Howard

Osgood (inactive)