Justin Abdelkader has stepped into Darren Helm's role at center on the third line, Detroit general manager Ken Holland says. Helm is out for the remainder of the regular season (knee). Holland says recent call-p Gustav Nyquist, who was in the lineup Monday against the Capitals at Joe Louis Arena, also will get extra minutes in Helm's absence.

Although Justin Abdelkader has been dealing with a stomach virus, he will be available on Friday. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said taht Abdelkader is "playing for sure." He's projected to skate on Detroit's third line.

Justin Abdelkader will be a game-time decision on Friday because of the flu. Abdelkader has 20 points and 54 penalty minutes in 67 games this season. With his status in doubt, Detroit has promoted Joakim Andersson as an insurance policy.

The Detroit Red Wings have been thrilled with the play of their third line consisting of Justin Abdelkader, Drew Miller and Darren Helm. The trio was put together a couple of weeks ago and have been the Red Wings top line on more than one occasion. It happened again on Thursday as they were in on all three Red Wings goals. "That group comes in every day and works hard in practice and in the weight room," coach Mike Babcock said. While it is too early to recommend any in fantasy pools, they are getting close.

Justin Abdelkader is projected to play alongside Jiri Hulder and Valtteri Filppula on Friday. He received the promotion due to Henrik Zetterberg's lower-body injury. Abdelkader has registered 16 points, 42 penalty minutes and 103 hits in 58 games.

Left winger Justin Abdelkader produced the Red Wings' lone regulation goal en route to a 2-1 shootout win over the Anaheim Ducks in Detroit Friday night. It was the Wings' 19th consecutive home victory. Detroit tied the 1970-71 Boston Bruins for the second-longest home streak in NHL history. The 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers and the 1929-30 Bruins won 20 consecutive games at home. Abdelkader's goal was his sixth of the season.

Justin Abdelkader picked up two assists to help the Red Wings double up 4-2 on the Edmonton Oilers in Detroit Wednesday night. This was the Wings' 18th consecutive home victory. Scoring goals for Detroit were Johan Franzen (21st), Corey Emmerton (sixth), Drew Miller (11th) and Henrik Zetterberg (10th).

Justin Abdelkader scored Detroit's only goal in a 5-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Islanders. His fifth goal of the 2011-12 campaign came in the second period when the Wings were already trailing 4-0. Abdelkader has 11 points in 42 games this year.

Detroit's recent injuries have provided Justin Abdelkader with the chance to play on Detroit's third line. Abdelkader has responded with two goals in his last two games, which earned him the praise of coach Mike Babcock. Abdelkader is still a long way away from having any fantasy value, unless you're in a deep league that uses hits as a category.

Justin Abdelkader, who missed almost eight minutes of Thursday's game after blocking a shot, is good to play on Saturday. "It's sore," Abdelkader said. "It's going to be sore, but it's just one of those things where there's always going to be bumps and bruises during a season." He has two goals and six points in 30 games this season.