Media outlets in Detroit are reporting that tonight against Chicago the Red Wings will ice a slightly different lineup than the one that skated to a 6-5 win over Vancouver Thursday. Kirk Maltby will sit out, while Tomas Holmstrom will return.Maltby suffered a bone bruise in his left ankle when he blocked a Canuck shot Thursday night. He did not skate yesterday and will take both today and tomorrow off as well. He has played in all but one of the Wings' games this season, having been a healthy scratch on October 25th. Maltby's effectiveness has tapered off pretty drastically in recent seasons, but the team has shown an admirable amount of loyalty to one of their longest-serving warriors.
Holmstrom has been out with a sore back ever since an Edmonton Oiler fell on him on November 17th. He first skated Monday and felt good enough to return Thursday. He practiced with Marian Hossa and Pavel Datsyuk, and will replace Dan Cleary on that line tonight. He'll bring his skilled net-front presence back to a team that has sorely missed in his absence.
Wtih Maltby out, Derek Meech will remain in the lineup as a forward despite Holmstrom's return. Meech scored his first NHL goal Thursday night, but likely won't see much ice time against the Blackhawks.
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