Forward Darren McCarty will make his season debut this Friday at Joe Louis Arena as the Red Wings faceoff against the St. Louis Blues. McCarty, who signed a (pro-rated) one-year $535,000 with the Red Wings a month ago, has been sidelined while battling back from broken ribs.

The Red Wings received another piece of good news when GM Ken Holland told the Detroit Free Press that Valtteri Filppula "felt great" during Wednesday's practice and as long as the sophomore forward doesn't experience any setbacks at practice tomorrow he is likely to also return on Friday.

Dallas Drake (sternum), who has missed the last two games, hopes to return on Friday. Drake will be honored prior to the game for playing in his 1,000th career NHL game earlier this season.

No word yet on the results from testing done this morning on Tomas Holmstrom's abdomen. The Red Wings hope he will be able to return before the start of the playoffs.