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With no Abdelkader, Samuelsson bumps up to Wings’ top line

Mikael Samuelsson

Detroit Red Wings winger Mikael Samuelsson, of Sweden, celebrates his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during second period hockey action in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals in Detroit, Saturday, May 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Paul Sancya

Veteran forward Mikael Samuelsson will be skating with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on Detroit’s top line when the Red Wings host the Ducks in Game 4 of their series (Anaheim leads, 2-1) tonight at Joe Louis Arena.

Samuelsson will replace the suspended Justin Abdelkader.

“It is a good opportunity. I’m excited about it,” Samuelsson said, per NHL.com.

“I’ve been here before and I’ve played with good players. I know what they’re capable of and I’ll try to find some open spots.”

Samuelsson has been hampered by injuries (groin, pectoral, broken finger) this season, but the 36-year-old does have 58 points in 100 career playoff games.

Here’s how all four Wings lines look:

Henrik Zetterberg - Pavel Datsyuk - Mikael Samuelsson

Valtteri Filppula - Johan Franzen - Daniel Cleary

Gustav Nyquist - Joakim Andersson - Damien Brunner

Patrick Eaves - Cory Emmerton - Todd Bertuzzi

Related: Wings’ Abdelkader laments ‘unfortunate’ hit