DETROIT -- Joey MacDonald is maximizing his opportunity, giving the Detroit Red Wings a chance to win every time the 31-year-old journeyman goaltender is called upon.

"He has taken the opportunity and run with it," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "His numbers are fantastic (2.13 goals-against average, .928 save percentage in 14 appearances).

"He’s big, square, he competes."

MacDonald, who is 5-4-3, might start Wednesday against St. Louis at Joe Louis Arena. Holland said Jimmy Howard has not been ruled out for the game, but he has not practiced since suffering a sprained left shoulder Saturday.

Howard will return Saturday in Nashville, at the latest, Holland said.

The Red Wings can afford to be patient, as their confidence in MacDonald grows.

"When we signed him, we knew we were hedging our bet (against injuries)," coach Mike Babcock said. "He’s capable and he’s mentally tough enough."

The Red Wings signed the undrafted MacDonald as a free agent in 2001. After four seasons with the Grand Rapids Griffins, he spent much of 2006-07 in Detroit, which thought so highly of him it kept three goalies on the 23-man roster -- Dominik Hasek and Chris Osgood were the others -- for most of the season to avoid losing MacDonald on waivers.

MacDonald eventually was claimed on waivers by Boston, though. He had stints with a couple of bad teams, the New York Islanders and Toronto, before signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Red Wings in July.

"When we signed Joey, we thought he’d be a good third (goalie) for us, a good mentor to (prospects) Jordan Pearce and Thomas McCollum," Holland said. "He’s a good person, a good pro."

MacDonald said hard work and the right attitude enabled him to reach the NHL.

"Work ethic and do what the coaches tell me," MacDonald said. "I knew I was going to be the third-stringer and you just got to prepare yourself the right way. When you get sent down, you can’t go down with a bad mindset that you’re not going to get called up. You got to go down and play well and work your way back up."

In addition to helping the Red Wings win now, MacDonald also is getting a chance to showcase himself for next season. If Osgood retires, the club might be inclined to re-sign MacDonald rather than seek a back-up through free agency.

"Everybody’s focus is on this year," Holland said. "At the end of the season, we’ll sit down and see where we’re at. (MacDonald) is making a great case for all 30 teams. He looks like an NHL goaltender."

No suspension for Bertuzzi

After reviewing Todd Bertuzzi’s hit on Chicago’s Ryan Johnson on Monday, NHL vice president of operations Colin Campbell determined it did not warrant a suspension.

"Colin Campbell talked to him after the game," Holland said. "They felt the punishment was appropriate."

Bertuzzi received a 5-minute penalty for elbowing and was ejected from the game at 5:17 of the first period. Bertuzzi went to the Blackhawks dressing room to apologize to Johnson, who said the hit was not malicious.

Red Wings closing in on 100 points

The Red Wings need two points to secure their 11th consecutive 100-point season and extend their own NHL record.

"It’s a good streak, but we just want to win games, finish as high as possible," Henrik Zetterberg said. "We’ve been playing OK. We’ve been doing some real good things, even though we really haven’t gotten the points."

They are 1-1-2 during their current homestand, which ends Wednesday.

"I think we’re starting to play better as a team the last couple of weeks, even though we haven’t won the games that we would have liked to," Nicklas Lidstrom said.

Emmerton must earn spot on team

Cory Emmerton, who signed a three-year contract with the Red Wings, must earn a roster spot next season in training camp or risk being claimed on waivers, like Mattias Ritola was this season by Tampa Bay.

"He’s got to play his way onto the team," Holland said. "We got to make a decision on him in training camp."

Emmerton, the club’s top pick in 2006 (42nd overall), has improved in each of his three seasons with Grand Rapids, Holland said.

"He’s smart, he’s got good hands, good hockey sense," Holland said. "He’s good at carrying the puck into the offensive zone.

"Don’t know if he’s going to be a big-time point producer in the NHL."

Odds & ends

-- The club will see how Pavel Datsyuk (lower-body injury) feels after Wednesday’s morning skate before determining his status for the game. Holland said he should return by the weekend (Saturday at Nashville or Sunday at home vs. Minnesota).

-- Holland said he was not aware if Mike Modano was injured Monday. Modano logged only one shift in the third period.