FRISCO – Defenseman Philippe Boucher skated Monday for the first time since suffering a strained hip in Game 3 of the Dallas Stars' first-round series with the Anaheim Ducks and was on the ice again at Tuesday's optional team workout.

Boucher, who has missed the last nine games, hopes to play in the Western Conference finals against Detroit, but coach Dave Tippett said there is still no timetable for his return.

Boucher will travel with the team to Detroit today but said he will "probably not" play Thursday in Game 1.

"I have more work to do before I'm ready to play," Boucher said. "I did a little more today in practice, but I wasn't out there very long. I'm moving well. I'm ahead of where I thought I would be right now.

"If I can take little steps every day, that's good. And once I'm available, we'll see what happens."

Barnes improving: Forward Stu Barnes is still suffering from concussion-like symptoms after taking a hit to the head late in Game 3 against San Jose but said he is feeling better.

"I'm better today than I was yesterday; I was better yesterday than the day before," Barnes said. "I just have to come in every day and see where it's at."

Barnes said he could skate today and didn't rule out playing in Game 1 at Detroit.

"Sure, that's a definite possibility," he said. "But I need to get on the ice first."

Defensemen face tough test: The Stars' defensemen, a mix of savvy veterans and talented youth, have been one of the team's strengths in the playoffs. But Detroit's speed and skill with the puck will certainly test their progress.

Tippett called the Red Wings the "best puck-possession team in the league" on Tuesday. Detroit doesn't like to chip-and-chase the puck in their zone. The Red Wings prefer to maintain possession past the blue line and use their speed and one-on-one skills to create havoc in front of the net.

"We need to close space early and don't give them too much room," defenseman Stephane Robidas said. "We have to play really tight."

Center Steve Ott called the Red Wings a "keep-away" team.

"They are ultra-skilled, and the only way you can take ultra-skill out of the game is to not give them the time and space that they're used to," Ott said. "For myself, it's just getting on them quick. If we're on them quickly and aggressively, it limits their time with [the puck]."

Briefly: Captain Brenden Morrow said he didn't get much rest during the team's day off Monday following Sunday's four-overtime win. "My 4-year-old came in in the morning looking for daddy," Morrow said, "and I've been the stranger for a long time now." ... Ott, always one to instigate on the ice, got into a shouting match with San Jose Sharks coach Ron Wilson going into intermission before overtime Sunday. Asked about the incident Tuesday, Ott blew it off, saying, "No big deal. We were just saying hello."

Staff writer Mike Heika contributed to this report.