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Red Wings look to snap two-game skid vs. Predators

Feb 18, 2009 - 11:33 AM Nashville (27-27-3) at Detroit (37-12-8), 7:30 p.m. EST

DETROIT (Ticker) -- The Detroit Red Wings will get one of their snipers back in time to provide some relief from a mild skid.

After a five-game absence, Johan Franzen will likely return to the lineup when the Red Wings look to snap a two-game slide on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators.

Franzen, who has been suffering from a bruised hand, practiced with the team Tuesday and said he expects to play in this contest, according to the Detroit News.

The 29-year-old Swede has not played since an 8-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on February 7.

"(Franzen) shot the puck a ton yesterday (in practice); we were worried about the vibration in his hand and he seems to be fine," Detroit coach Mike Babcock told the newspaper. "Ideally, if everything is good (Wednesday) at the skate he'll be going."

Considering their 8-1-1 home mark against the Predators dating back to February 8, 2006, the Red Wings have a good chance to shrug off their first home losing streak since an 0-1-1 start at Joe Louis Arena from October 9-16.

Nashville had its two-game winning streak halted with a 2-0 setback to the Ottawa Senators on Monday.

The Predators fell, 5-3, to the Red Wings in the last meeting on February 10.