The Detroit Red Wings got back to practice today in preparation for their last game against the Devils on Wednesday before a much needed rest during the All Star break. There was a welcome surprise on the ice as one of the many injured, Pavel Datsyuk skated with the team after having a cast taken off his broken hand. Datsyuk claims it is his first priority to be back for the Wings first game after the break against the Senators on February 2nd. Datsyuk also let on to reporters that he has missed playing with his team, "I feel like I have missed something, the more you don't play the more hungry you are to play. When you see your team play, you want to help so bad." Speaking of the injured, Thomas Holmstrom claims he has had no setbacks while suffering a fractured foot while Dan Cleary who fractured his ankle is expected back after the All Star break in that Ottawa game as well.

As for the healthy players on Detroit they need help too, in the form of a better defense and better goal tending. The Wings have allowed 69 goals in their last 20 games, which averages out to be almost 3 and a half scores a contest. Head coach Mike Babcock saying "we're not good enough right now." In the same breath however Babcock made sure to give his team credit " we've gone 2-1 and 2 in our last 5 game which isn't kind of Red Wing numbers but for the lineup we've had, we have battled and found a way to get points." Detroit with all the injuries and struggles still has the 2nd best record in the Western Conference behind the Vancouver Canucks.
The Wings take on the Devils at the Joe on Wednesday, broadcast time at 6:40pm on "The Ticket."

Check out the entire Mike Babcock video below...