Zetterberg returns for Red Wings

Jan 31, 2008 - 7:24 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings welcomed leading scorer Henrik Zetterberg back to the lineup on Wednesday for their game against 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 said prior to the game. "I skated good (Monday) and skated even better (Tuesday). I think it's a green light for (Wednesday)."

Detroit coach Mike Babcock was 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 return of Zetterberg, who entered Wednesday with 61 points in 44 games this season, paid immediate dividends as the Swede scored his 29th goal just 3:54 into the contest vs. the Coyotes.

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.