Throughout the week, it appeared that Todd Bertuzzi’s back might keep him out of the Red Wings’ season opener Friday night. But after making it through the last two practices, Bertuzzi has gotten the go-ahead to play and will play right wing on Detroit’s second line versus the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
Had Bertuzzi not been able to play, the Wings would’ve had to decide whether or not to call Kirk Maltby up from Grand Rapids. Instead, Maltby is still mulling over retirement versus reporting to the Griffins by Monday.
Bertuzzi will play with Valtteri Flippula and Johan Franzen. Coach Mike Babcock is hoping the size of Bertuzzi and Franzen will help them control Anaheim’s first two lines.
“They look like a good line. They got to be a dominant line,‘’ Babcock said Friday. "If you look at tonight’s game, (Ryan) Getzlaf’s a dominant player, playing with two dominant wingers (Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan), and then (Saku) Koivu and (Teemu) Selanne with his group has been effective for years.
Face-off is 7:30 p.m. tonight at Joe Louis Arena.