Justin Abdelkader will return to the Red Wings lineup tonight as Detroit hosts the Nashville Predators. Jiri Hudler will be the odd man out for Detroit, with Abdelkader slated to take his spot on the third line.
“Big thing is I want to get Abby in,” Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. “I think Huds has gotten better since the start of the year, but I want to get Abby in. That line hasn’t been great, so this gives me the opportunity to do that.”
As goalie Jimmy Howard remains out, recovering from back spasms, Chris Osgood gets his second consecutive start in net.