Red Wings' Filppula cleared to play

May 8, 2008 - 9:55 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Center Valtteri Filppula will play for the Detroit Red Wings when they open up their Western Conference finals series Thursday against the Dallas Stars.

Filppula had missed the previous two days of practice with a leg injury but said he will be ready to play.

"I skated yesterday and it felt good and I skated again today and it felt good again, so I'm ready," Filppula said. "There shouldn't be any (concerns). It should be fine now."

The 24-year-old Finland native has two goals and three assists for Detroit in the postseason. Filppula had 19 tallies and 17 assists during the regular season.