DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock inserted Justin Abdelkader into the lineup to provide grit and physical play while centering the fourth line.

Abdelkader did just that, and also scored a goal on a good individual effort.

He stripped Wojtek Wolski of the puck from behind inside the Phoenix blue line and broke in alone on Ilya Bryzgalov to score the goal that gave Detroit a 4-3 lead at 2:32 of the third period.

“That’s real positive,” Babcock said. “I thought Abby was good tonight. He ran around, which is good.

“He’s going to be a real good player in this league and he’s going to be a guy who can wear out other people and defensemen and stand up for his teammates, but he’s in a growth process right now. To chip in as a fourth-line center is positive.”

Abdelkader played in 10 playoff games last year and scored goals in Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup finals.

“Hopefully, I can help out in that (goal-scoring) department, but I know that’s not expected of us too much,” Abdelkader said. “We’re more about getting on top of their D, being physical, being good defensively, (winning) faceoffs. If we can chip in (offensively), that’s great."