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Howard, Athanasiou good to go; Marchenko close |
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The Detroit Red Wings will welcome back two familiar faces from sick bay, and perhaps even a third, when they tangle with the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday at Joe Louis Arena.
Goaltender Jimmy Howard (groin) is back in the fold after being activated from injured reserve on Thursday.
“I’m ready to go and excited to get back in,” Howard said after missing six games with his injury. “I knew it wasn’t going to be that long. Having the severe (groin injury) before (during the 2014-15 season), this one probably needed a couple days rest and then some rehab and that’s exactly what we did and the groin responded well.”
Meanwhile, while the Wings were playing it coy for public consumption, a team source confirmed to expect forward Andreas Athanasiou (knee) to also be activated from the IRL in time for Friday’s game.
“I feel good today,” Athanasiou said after Thursday’s practice. “It’s feeling strong. I think we did a real good job of rehabbing it and I feel back up to speed. It feels good, accelerating.
“It’s been getting better everyday and it feels good. I think everything is ready. I haven’t had any problems with my stride or going on either side of the edges so it feels good.
“We’ll see how it feels tomorrow morning and go from there.”
Defenseman Alexey Marchenko (shoulder) also practiced Thursday and while his status wasn’t quite as clear as that of Howard and Athanasiou, it’s evident he’s also close to being ready to return to action.
“Andreas, I was hopeful he would be ready for Friday,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “I wasn’t as quite sure on Marchenko, but either Friday or Sunday. Obviously, Howie is ready to go, be available as well.
“Guys are starting to make their way back.”
Marchenko was certain that if he couldn’t go Friday, then Sunday against Philadelphia would be a definite return date for him.
“I feel pretty good,” Marchenko said. “We’ll see. I don’t know, maybe tomorrow decision. Like it’s pretty good. It’s pretty good to play.
“If it would be like playoffs, I would play.”
Athanasiou has missed 12 games with his injury, and the Wings missed his world-class speed on blades and ability to utilize his wheels to create both space and scoring opportunities.
“He certainly adds an element of speed that’s obviously important in the league, and he can self-create,” Blashill said. “It’s hard to self-create in this league, and he’s one of the guys that can do it. So he brings another guy in our lineup that can do a good job.
“That said, I think the guys that have been in the lineup have done a good job as well. When Andreas comes back he needs to make sure he’s ready to be an impact player.”
Athanasiou understands that challenge and is certain he will be up for it.
“We have a lot of good players here,” Athanasiou said. “You have to be ready everyday and once I get my opportunity again I’ll make sure to be ready.”
He has no doubt that his knee is back to 100 per cent.
“It feels good, accelerating,” Athanasiou said. “I haven’t had any problems with my stride or going on either side of the edges so it feels good. Skating is definitely one of the biggest parts of my game, so I needed to make sure I felt comfortable with it and that I can skate like I did before.”
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