Coach Mike Babcock said Friday that Brian Lashoff will play in place of Danny DeKeyser, who suffered a broken right thumb in Thursday's 5-4 overtime victory in Game 2 and is out six-to-eight weeks, the remainder of the playoffs.
Babcock said he will insert Lashoff into DeKeyser's spot alongside Jakub Kindl, at least to start the game.
With the addition of Danny DeKeyser and the return of Carlo Colaiacovo the Red Wings have a surplus of healthy defensemen. Lashoff has been sent down to get some playing time.
Carlo Colaiacovo and Brian Lashoff also are scratched, to make room for Kyle Quincey (back after missing nine games with a fractured cheek bone), Ian White and Danny DeKeyser, who'll make his NHL debut.
Lashoff had just one assist and was a minus-7 in his last 10 games.
Lashoff was scratched in Monday's game vs. Colorado but will re-enter the lineup tonight vs. Phoenix. He has a goal and four assists in 30 games this season.
Lashoff is being sent down to clear roster space for Danny DeKeyser. It was likely going to be Gustav Nyquist but with the injury to Henrik Zetterberg, Nyquist will need to be in the lineup tomorrow.
Wings sign Defenseman Brian Lashoff to a 3-year extension.
Lashoff was not expected to play in the NHL this season but with all the injuries to the Red Wings blueline he was forced into the lineup and has played well. Lashoff is playing close to 19 minutes a game on average and has recorded one goal and two assists in 16 games so far.
Lashoff played well while he was filling in on a banged up Red Wings blueline. He has been a healthy scratch since Jan. 27 but will re-enter the lineup tonight for Jakub Kindl.
DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings assigned eight players today to the Grand Rapids Griffins: forwards Chris Conner, Joakim Andersson and Landon Ferraro; defensemen Doug Janik, Garnet Exelby and Brian Lashoff; and goaltenders Joey MacDonald and Jordan Pearce.