Zetterberg expected back for Wings

Jan 30, 2008 - 8:04 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings are expected to have leading scorer Henrik Zetterberg in the lineup on Wednesday when they host the Phoenix Coyotes.

Zetterberg missed Detroit's last two games before the All-Star break with a sore back, an ailment that also caused him to sit out five contests earlier in the season.

He was voted into the All-Star Game as a starter but elected to skip the contest to rest his back.

"It feels pretty good," said Zetterberg, who has 61 points in 44 games for Detroit this season. "I skated good (Monday) and skated even better (Tuesday). I think it's a green light for (Wednesday)."

Detroit coach Mike Babcock said he will not be looking to limit Zetterberg's ice time.

"I'm not taking it easy on him one bit," Babcock said. "If he's playing, he's playing."

The Red Wings won their two games without Zetterberg last week, beating the Los Angeles Kings, 3-0, and the Anaheim Ducks, 2-1.

Detroit has won four in a row and begins the second half of the season with an NHL-best 78 points.