DETROIT >> Defenseman Jakub Kindl returns after being a healthy scratch for the last four games.
“Compete, just flat-out compete,” Babcock said when asked what Kindl has to do to remain in the lineup. “Get pucks, make plays. Compete. That’s all part of being a good teammate, being competitive, being ultra-competitive, being good to help your team win.”
Kindl, who replaced Brian Lashoff in the lineup, was benched midway through the Wings game on Nov. 14 against Chicago.
“Sometimes people think whether you like a guy gets in the way – you don’t confuse the player and the person one bit,” Babcock said. “You’re in the winning business, you’re about putting players in the best situation to have success and whoever can help you win that’s who you play.”