Veteran defenseman Doug Janik was among three Griffins recalled by the Wings on Monday. Janik was inserted in the Wings' lineup last Tuesday in Columbus. (Photo by Getty Images)

DETROIT – With the latest rash of injuries, the Red Wings have recalled a trio of players from their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids.

Veteran defenseman Doug Janik, forward Chris Conner and goalie Jordan Pearce will all travel to Philadelphia later today with the NHL club as they prepare to face the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center Tuesday night.

The Griffins’ trio joins rookie defenseman Brendan Smith, who was recalled early last week.

Already without the services of center Pavel Datsyuk (knee surgery) and defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom (bruised ankle) and Jonathan Ericsson (fractured wrist), the Wings were dealt another blow over the weekend when goalie Jimmy Howard and defenseman Jakub Kindl were injured during Sunday’s 2-1 loss to Chicago.

The status for both Howard and Kindl is unknown, but certainly based on the players who were brought up, it’s likely that neither will play against the Flyers.

With 15 games left in the regular-season, the Wings are very much alive in a race with Vancouver, St. Louis and the New York Rangers for the Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs. Currently, the Wings are the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and tied with the Blues at 89 points each, however, St. Louis holds the first tiebreaker.

Injuries is just part of the game, and players like defenseman Niklas Kronwall knows that the Wings will have to rely on their depth to weather this current storm, particularly on the blue line which has taken the brunt of the injuries.

“I think Smitty has played great ever since he got called up,” Kronwall said. “Kuba, before he left the game (Sunday) has played really well. The two of them as a pair has been great. (Kyle) Quincey ever since he’s gotten in has played really well. I think all-in-all it’s been OK, just looking forward to the next game.

“Dougie Janik has been here a few times, we all know he’s very solid and an NHL player for probably most teams in the league. … We know that he’ll do a great job.”

The six serviceable defensemen that the Wings will take to Philadelphia will be Kronwall, Smith, Quincey, Janik, Ian White and Brad Stuart.

In 17 minor-league games with the Griffins, Pearce has a 3-7-1 record with a 3.53 goals-average average and one shutout. He will backup Joey MacDonald Tuesday in Philadelphia.

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