The Red Wings had an optional this morning with about half of the team on the ice. For tonight's game against Columbus, Ty Conklin will start in net for the eighth time in the past nine games and 11th time in the past 14. Chris Chelios and Brett Lebda are back in the lineup after both were scratches in the previous game. They'll be the third defense pairing. That means that Andreas Lilja and Derek Meech will be healthy scratches.

Of Lilja, Coach Mike Babcock said: "He's played very, very, very well for us."

With eight defensemen, Babcock is going to have his hands full getting all eight or seven of them playoff ready.

Columbus had a full skate this morning. Steve Mason will make his eighth straight start in net. Here are possible Columbus lines ...

Nash-Malhotra-Voracek
Murray-Umberger-Chimera
Picard-Peca-Boll
Mayorov-MacDonald-Dorsett

Hejda-Commodore
Tyutin-Methot
Tollefsen-Backman

Mason (starts)
Leclaire