Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader will make his 2010-11 season debut tonight when Detroit takes on Nashville. Abdelkader has been out all season long with a rib injury, but tonight he will finally get a chance to play, replacing Jiri Hudler in the lineup. Hudler was a bit surprised by the move and was also not very happy.
"Obviously, I’m not happy about it. It is what it is,’’ Hudler said. "It’s Babs’ decision. He’s the coach. Whatever he feels like. Obviously, he’s going to make a move.
"It’s going to drive me a little crazy, but good crazy.’’
In other Red Wings news for tonight, Chris Osgood will make his second consecutive start, again replacing Jimmy Howard. Howard was scratched from his start on Thursday because of a back issue, and he will miss at least one more game because of the injury. Mike Babcock thinks Howard will be back on Wednesday when Detroit plays at Calgary, though, which would be great news for the Red Wings given the fact that Osgood hasn't looked all that great in net.