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DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader will return to the lineup after missing the first two games of their first-round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning because of a hand injury. He also sat out the final four games of the regular season.  His return gives coach Mike Babcock an opportunity to split up star forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, with Abdelkader projected to play on a line with Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist. "Abby is a big body, he's an every-dayer, he competes hard," Babcock said following Monday's practice. "He's a guy who is good at the net, he plays hard, he competes hard. I'm sure he's ready to go." Abdelkader is coming off a regular season in which he scored a career-high 23 goals to go with 21 assists. He will bring a scoring threat to go with a physical presence the Red Wings could use up front. "It's a new season," Abdelkader said. "I think my game suits the playoffs. I look forward to going out there." Babcock said defenseman Brendan Smith will also return to the lineup. Smith was a healthy scratch for the two games in Tampa. Game 3 between the Lightning and Red Wings is 7 p.m. Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena, in Detroit.
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