Red Wings get a huge boost to their line up this evening.

Key Player Returns to lineup for Detroit

The emergency is over, and so rookie call-up Dan Renouf will head back to the AHL as veteran blueliner Niklas Kronwall returns to Detroit’s lineup for another game against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight.

Knee trouble sidelined Kronwall, while Renouf was brought up to help supplement the blueline.

The 22-year-old played an innocuous game, keeping off the scoresheet and out of the penalty box.  Renouf did manage to get a shot on goal, but was hardly noticeable otherwise.

That’s not a bad thing for a young d-man suddenly thrust into an NHL lineup. His spot was only temporary anyhow, his return to the AHL in no way a mark against Renouf’s potential.

The Red Wings managed a win without Kronwall, and will looking for another win against Carolina at home for the second day in a row. Tonight’s tilt against the Hurricanes is the final game in stretch where Detroit has played three-games-in-three-days.

An unfortunate misplay in last night’s overtime period led to a brutal collision between Henrik Zetterberg and Carolina goalie Eddie Lack. Lack had to be taken off the ice in a stretcher, but not before giving a hopeful thumbs-up.

In an act of class that showcases why Zetterberg is a Masterson Trophy nominee and Detroit’s captain, he was quick to check on the injured Lack and kept the usual scrums and retaliations from breaking out after the play.

Kronwall will undoubtedly be given heavy minutes in tonight’s game, although whether or not he regains his spot on the power play in favour of Robbie Russo remains to be seen.

[pub]