Drew Miller will play vs. Canucks; Osgood, Maltby ill

Chris McCosky / The Detroit News

Detroit -- The Red Wings are wasting no time throwing newly-acquired forward Drew Miller into the fire.

Picked up off waivers Wednesday from Tampa Bay, Miller will skate on the fourth line Thursday night against Vancouver with his former Michigan State teammate Justin Abdelkader and his former Anaheim teammate Brad May.

"To come to a team that has had the success the Wings have had in the past and to be able to play with players of this caliber and with such a good coaching staff, it's a big thing," Miller said after a quick skate Thursday morning. "It's nice to come to a team where there are so many familiar faces, too. It helps make the transition easier."

Miller, 25, has yet to play a full season in the NHL, though he played in the Stanly Cup Finals with the Ducks in 2007 and in 13 playoff games last season. He's played 67 regular-season games for Anaheim and Tampa Bay.

"We are excited to have him here," coach Mike Babcock said. "He skates good, he knows how to play the game. This should be a good opportunity for him."

Babcock said he will use Miller on the penalty kill unit tonight.

"For him to have success here, he's going to have to be real good without the puck, be physical on the forecheck, hang on to pucks, really skate and be good on the penalty kill," Babcock said.

Maltby, Osgood out

Forward Kirk Maltby and goalie Chris Osgood are out with the flu. The Wings recalled goalie Daniel Larsson from Grand Rapids and he will back-up Jimmy Howard Thursday night. Larsson was 5-2 for the Griffins, with a 2.70 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.