Injury Report: Goaltender Skates for First time

On December 23rd of 2016, the Detroit Red Wings proceeded to place goaltender Jimmy Howard on the injured reserve due to an MCL sprain in his right knee. Howard was playing lights-out before he went down to injury, as his 1.96 goals-against average and .934 save percentage had him comfortably slated as the team's number one goaltender during a then-tumultuous season. 

The 32-year-old has taken to the ice for the first time this afternoon, as he has been working with goaltending coach Jeff Salajko on basic drills in full equipment. He has not faced any shots as of yet, however. 

While it's still unclear when Howard is set to return to the lineup, the 4-6 weeks he was initially expected to miss are rapidly coming to an end, and it can only be seen as a positive sign that the long-serving goalie is taking to the ice to practice. 

As the Red Wings continue to build momentum with their recent three-game winning streak including against two Atlantic Division rivals and the reigning Stanley Cup champions, they've had to rely on young netminder Jared Coreau, who has two shutouts in his eight appearances thus far this season. 

The team will travel to Buffalo tomorrow to take on the Sabres at the First Niagara Center.