Todd Bertuzzi: physical without fisticuffs

It seems a bit odd that in his 14 seasons, Todd Bertuzzi has been in just 22 fights. The number seems small for a player as big as he is (6-foot-3, 235 pounds), as imposing as he is and as hard and tough as he plays. Or, maybe it's because of his size and strength that the number is that low. Not many are jumping over the boards trying to challenge him.

"When it comes down to it, it's all on how the situation is," Bertuzzi said. "If someone is calling you out, you've got to do it. If not, you just play hard and see what happens."

Understand, Bertuzzi is still providing the Red Wings with a physical presence.

"We've been talking to Bert and Clears (Danny Cleary) about that," coach Mike Babcock said. "We feel them being physical on offense is very important and what I mean by physical is, when you have the puck, you can hang on to it in the offensive zone and take it to the net.

"Bert scored a great goal for us (Saturday) doing that and I hope he can build off that."

Bertuzzi's last fight was last March against Rostislav Klesla, it was one of two fights he had last season (the other was against Jordin Tootoo).

"I've never been known as a guy who comes in and fights 10 to 15 times a year," Bertuzzi said. "I will take care of myself and take care of the guys I am out there with if somebody is taking liberties with them. But I am not the kind of guy who is looking for it. If it's there, then it's there. It's part of the game."

He never has been known as a defensive forward, but he has made a conscious effort to be better at that end.

"That's the thing I would tell you about Bert; he's really tried to look after his defensive game since he's been here," Babcock said. "And once he gets more comfortable and won't have to think about that so much, I think he will be way better. ...

"I've been thrilled with how he's played. He looks after himself. We don't need him to (fight). We need him to be a big body and play physical."

Lilja gets treatment

Defenseman Andreas Lilja was in Toronto for a few days as he continues to work toward returning from a severe concussion he suffered last February.

"Just went over there to get some treatment -- acupuncture, straightening out my neck and my hips and my back, stuff like that," Lilja said. "It's supposed to help a little bit, get the blood flowing."

Lilja also will go with the team on its upcoming five-game trip, primarily so he can visit a doctor in Vancouver, Don Grant .

Getting changes in line

Babcock spent about 15 minutes working on line changes, not surprising after a bad change cost the Wings a tying goal Saturday.

"They had five scoring chances off line changes," Babcock said. "The goal was only one part of it. It was just a refresher. We've done it in the past and we will probably do it again."

With Pavel Datsyuk expected back, Babcock had Kris Draper centering Bertuzzi and Cleary at practice Monday. He put Datsyuk with Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom , and kept Valtteri Filppula with Ville Leino and Jason Williams .

Dana Wakiji contributed chris.mccosky@detnews.com">chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489