Detroit – In a way it was a fitting that Filip Zadina’s first NHL preseason game would be against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Growing up, Zadina was a huge Blackhawks fan.
“Huge fan of Chicago,” said Zadina, who recovered from a sore groin to return to the lineup Thursday against the Blackhawks, after missing Wednesday’s night’s 3-2 overtime win over the Penguins. “It was my favorite team when I was growing up. My favorite player was Patrick Kane.
“It’s going to be a huge game for me.”
Zadina was scheduled to be on a line with Andreas Athanasiou and Thomas Vanek, a line that worked well in Sunday’s intra-squad scrimmage in Traverse City with Zadina having several good chances and scoring on one.