Detroit – This felt like Christmas morning all over again for defenseman Brendan Smith.
Smith, who hasn’t played since Thanksgiving weekend, was expected to return to the lineup against the Buffalo Sabres Tuesday night, as the Detroit Red Wings played their first game since Friday.
Smith was hurt Nov. 26 on a knee-on-knee collision with Montreal’s Phillip Danault, spraining his MCL.
Ted Kulfan, Detroit News
“I’m just real excited to get back,” said Smith, who in 20 games has two goals and two assists with a minus-3 rating.