Stephen Weiss, who has had an injury-plagued time since he came to the Red Wings, is moving in the right direction.
Weiss had been sent to Grand Rapids for a conditioning stint with the Griffins but left after two periods of play with a groin strain.
"It was tough to take, for sure," Weiss said. "I was two games away, four periods away down there from being able to come back and get in the lineup in Buffalo. I was pretty down for a few days but I've been through that before, just buckle down this week. I did everything I can off the ice to get back healthy. Last few days felt really good so seemed to turn the corner again."
Weiss missed most of last season after sports hernia surgery. This latest injury could be related.
"It's the same leg," Weiss said. "It just got pretty sore on me pretty quickly during the game and really didn't want to say anything. But I kind of learned my lesson last year and figured I'd rather be a few days or a week max before I come back than have it lingering in games and stuff. I shut it down for about a week and it feels pretty solid again. Now I just need to consistently get on the ice and practice before I get a chance to get in the games."
Weiss practiced with the Wings Saturday and is confident he'll be ready soon.
"(After Sunday), we don't play 'til Friday next week so I think I have all next week to practice," Weiss said. "I think by then should be ready. It's just up to the coaches whether I can get in the lineup or not."
GUSTAVSSON IN A SLING
Goaltender Jonas Gustavsson was wearing a sling on his dislocated left shoulder Saturday.
Gustavsson suffered the injury on the New York Rangers' game-winning overtime goal Wednesday and is expected to miss up to two months.
"I don't know how long it's going to take so I'm just going to take it step by step and listen to all the advice they give me and do all the rehab and everything and then we'll see when I get back," Gustavsson said.
Gustavsson said he hasn't watched the replays and isn't quite sure how it happened. Doctors believe that surgery won't be necessary.
"We're going to try to rehab it and then we'll go from there," Gustavsson said.
For the immediate future, Gustavsson isn't able to do much of anything.
"First week or so you just want to let it heal and then you do more and more stuff," Gustavsson said. "I don't exactly know when that is but they'll tell me when the time comes."
HOWARD HAS ALARM ISSUES
Goaltender Jimmy Howard got a loud greeting from his teammates when he arrived late to practice Saturday.
They tapped their sticks on the ice as he replaced goaltending coach Jim Bedard in one of the nets at University Liggett.
Although Howard has a baby in the house, he said that wasn't why he was late.
"I wish it was a kid thing. I wish I could blame it on him but I can't," Howard said. "A little complication with the alarm."
Howard will start Sunday against the Lightning.
"It's a good challenge for anybody," Howard said. "I'm gonna have to bring my 'A' game (Sunday), for sure."
