DETROIT -- One night after the Red Wings had a strong performance in Toronto, two of the key players in the victory were out.
Goaltender Jimmy Howard, who made 23 saves in the 4-1 win, was placed on the 48-hour injured reserve due to a sore groin.
"I think initially we're concerned," Wings coach Mike Babcock said before Saturday night's home game against Toronto. "I think by the time we got back here last night we weren't as concerned. Any time it's a groin they usually tell me it's day-to-day and then 10 days later you get the news that they might be ready to skate again. So I don't know."
Jonas Gustavsson started in goal for the Wings Saturday. Petr Mrazek was recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) to back up Gustavsson.
Johan Franzen, who had two goals Friday night but left the game with leg spasms, was a game-time decision.
Although he took part in warm-ups, Franzen was scratched.
Stephen Weiss, a healthy scratch for the first four games, was in the lineup in Franzen's place.
"Weiss is going," Babcock said. "Obviously he's gotten better every day at camp this year. He was hurt last year the whole year. He's skated real well. He's competed real hard in practice each and every day. He's waited for his opportunity like a good pro. Now he gets his opportunity."
Justin Abdelkader took Franzen's place on the top line with Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist.
Weiss was skating on a line with Darren Helm and Andrej Nestrasil.
