For the first time in a long time the Detroit Red Wings will nearly be 100% when they take on the Washington Capitals Wednesday night. Goaltender 
Chris Osgood, defenseman Brian Rafalski and forward Patrick Eaves all appear ready to go as the team heads into the final stretch of the season.
Chris Osgood was activated Monday after missing about two months because of sports hernia surgery. The Wings play back to back games this week when they take on Washington at home on Wednesday then head down to Columbus for a divisional match up against the Blue Jackets. It is assumed that Osgood would play in one of those two games however head coach Mike Babcock, who never likes to give the opposition insight on his potential lineup card, wouldn’t commit to Osgood Thursday in Columbus.
“I want to win games,” Babcock said. “Whatever gives us the best chance to win, that’s what we’re going to do.”
This season, Osgood is 5-3-2 with a 2.77 goals-against average and .903 save percentage.
As for Patrick Eaves and Brian Rafalski, Eaves has been out since February 22nd when he suffered a sore groin on an awkward fall while Rafalski has been suffering from back spasms since February 24th.
According to Helen St. James of the Detroit Free Press, head coach Mike Babcock hasn’t decided on a lineup but it is expected that Rafalski will be back in especially considering that Ruslan Salei is back in Southern California where his wife is expected to give birth on Wednesday.
St. James also mentioned that Eaves subbed in for the top two lines but that was normal protocol for the team since they now have two extra forwards.
Source: Detroit Free Press
