The Detroit Red Wings could be getting two big pieces of their lineup back tomorrow against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Justin Abdelkader and Mike Green have been practicing with the team and a lineup decision is expected before game time tomorrow. Abdelkader has been missing since December 1 with a knee injury, while Green was suffered an upper-body injury on December 17.
“We'll make those lineup decisions tomorrow,” head coach Jeff Blashill reported. “We wanted to get a practice in and make sure they we ready to go. They both I think felt good, but I'll wait for them to get evaluated by the trainers and we'll make that final decision.”
“I thought Green was playing at a high, high level when he got hurt,” Blashill also said. “He looked like a real number one defenseman in the NHL so when he gets going it'll be big for us to have him playing at the high level again.”
Abdelkader also gave an update on how he was feeling.
“Felt pretty good,” Abdelkader said. “We'll evaluate tomorrow and see from there. No decisions yet but it felt good.”
The Red Wings went 5-8-3 in Abdelkader's absence, not including the game he was injured (L 2-1 vs. FLA in OT). Green meanwhile has 18 points on the season, tied for fifth-most on the team, and the Wings defense has clearly missed him on the blue line during his absence.
**Stats courtesy ESPN
