Forward Kris Draper attends Monday's optional skate in Detroit. (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

Detroit Red Wings forward Kris Draper is healthy but might not play in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final on Tuesday (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 8 p.m. ET).

Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock told reporters Monday that, as much as he covets the veteran grinder, he is hesitant to make lineup changes because the Red Wings lead the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.

"I'm not a big change guy, especially when things are going good," Babcock said. "We will see."

Draper hasn't played since suffering a pulled groin in Game 3 of the Western Conference final, won in five games over the Chicago Blackhawks.

He has played in just four playoff games, registering zero points and four shots.

"Do I want to play? Absolutely," Draper said. "It doesn't get any better than this, but what I'm going to do is support the call, whatever it is."

Pavel Datsyuk, a Hart Trophy finalist sidelined several games with a sore foot, is also expected to miss Game 3.

Datsyuk has one goal and six assists for seven points in 13 playoff games this spring.

"They [the doctors] had another look at him today and everything seems to be fine," Babcock said. "Now it is up to him."

Detroit defeated Pittsburgh 3-1 in both of the first two games of the final, and needs just two more wins to become the NHL's first repeat champion since the Red Wings accomplished the feat in 1997 and 1998.

"We haven't been very smooth," Babcock said. "I thought last night [Game 2 on Sunday] we didn't have a great amount of energy and didn't come out of our zone like we would like.

"You have got to give them credit. They did a good job.

"I thought both teams dictated play at times in Game 2. But both games, when we have been ahead, we haven't had on our foot on the gas.

"We have been cautious and careful, instead of just going after them. We will have to do a better job coming through the neutral zone and attacking in their zone."

Detroit is seeking its fifth Stanley Cup in the past 12 seasons.

With files from the Associated Press