DETROIT – Ruslan Salei's grip on his spot in the Detroit Red Wings' lineup is not as secure as it appeared to be most of the season.

Coach Mike Babcock said Wednesday that the veteran Salei, who has been a healthy scratch in two of the past three games, and rookie Jakub Kindl are competing for the sixth spot on defense as the regular season winds down.

“I want someone to take the job. I don't want to rotate them,'' Babcock said before his team's inexplicable 10-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues at Joe Louis Arena. “So it's up for grabs. One of them better grab it.''

Asked what he wants to see from each player, Babcock said, “I've already talked to them about that. They know, let's just see. It's a situation where we want to win each and every night. We want to give ourselves the best chance to be successful in the playoffs. They're both different type players. So bring what you bring.''

Salei is a stay-at-home defenseman who has 10 points and an even plus-minus rating in 70 games. He missed three games and a couple of practices two weeks ago to be with his wife in California when she delivered their third child.

“I've been playing the whole year and now (Babcock) feels like we have to fight for it, so I guess I have to fight for it,'' Salei said.

Asked if he was surprised to be battling for a spot this late in the season, Salei said, “I got some time off with my newborn, so I guess it had a little effect on my game. … I missed practice time, most of all.

“As far as how much opportunity I get, it's been diminished from the first half of the year.''

Kindl is more of a puck-moving defenseman with some offensive upside. His defensive play has been improving steadily, Wednesday's debacle notwithstanding. He has three points and a minus-3 rating in 43 games.

“I think I'm a better hockey player (than he was earlier this season), no question about it,'' Kindl said. “Played more physical. I feel stronger. I don't think I'm losing any battles in the corner. It's a progress. I still believe I can be a better player, no question.''

Kindl realizes Salei, with 912 regular season games and 51 playoff games to his credit, still has the inside track on the job.

“Whenever I have the opportunity I just got to show (Babcock) I want to take the job,'' Kindl said.

“I don't want to say it's a battle between us. I want to play, he wants to play. It's the coach's decision.''

Bertuzzi glad Johnson is OK

Todd Bertuzzi said he inadvertently hit Ryan Johnson high during Monday's game and is glad the Chicago forward was not injured.

“I went in there to finish a hit and I thought he was in a really bad spot, so I tried to ease up and go with my side, tried to hit him low with my butt in the stomach,'' Bertuzzi said. “I know if I would have went straight on I could have hit him pretty hard. I just wanted to make sure he was all right.''

Bertuzzi was ejected from the game but went to the Blackhawks dressing room and apologized to Johnson.

“If it was a guy who hits all the time and knows how to hit properly he could have hit him pretty hard,'' Bertuzzi said. “He had his head down, he's coming around the net trying to make a hockey play, which you got to respect. … When I eased up, your body goes a little bit loose and I caught him with more of my armpit.

“Obviously, you got to finish your check, that's what we're paid to do, but at the same time I don't want to put the guy through the boards. But I got to finish my check and make sure he knows I'm there and I got to try to get the puck.''

Datsyuk, Howard close to returning

Pavel Datsyuk (lower-body injury) and Jimmy Howard (sprained left shoulder) hope to return on Saturday.

“I'm more comfortable, stronger,'' Datsyuk said. “Time has helped me a lot.''

Howard, for the first time in four days, faced shots on Wednesday.

“I can pretty much do everything,'' he said. “It's getting better. Still a little stiff, some soreness in there.''