Holmstrom, Maltby return for Red Wings

Jan 9, 2008 - 1:46 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Just in case the rest of the NHL did not have enough to worry about with the Detroit Red Wings, they now are getting healthy as well.

Left wings Tomas Holmstrom and Kirk Maltby both were back in the lineup for the league's best team as the Red Wings hosted the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night.

Holmstrom, who has 17 goals and 31 points this season, missed the last eight games with a deep bone bruise in his right knee. The 10-year veteran has not played since December 20.

The 34-year-old Holmstrom has spent most of the season playing on Detroit's top line with All-Star starters Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.

Maltby, who was activated from injured reserve Tuesday, had missed the past 19 games with a sore back after playing in 188 consecutive contests. The 35-year-old, who has been out of the lineup since November 27, has three tallies and three assists on the campaign.