Red Wings D Nicklas Lidstrom returns to play after missing 11 games with injured right ankle

DETROIT - Red Wings defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom has returned to the lineup.

Lidstrom started Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes after missing 11 games with a bone bruise on his right ankle.

The four-time Stanley Cup champion and seven-time Norris Trophy winner was injured Feb. 25 against Colorado. The setback might have hurt the Swede's shot to match Bobby Orr's record of eight Norris Trophies.

Lidstrom is among NHL plus-minus leaders with a plus-25 rating through his first 62 games this season.

Detroit scratched goaltender Jimmy Howard, centres Johan Franzen and Darren Helm and defenceman Jonathan Ericsson with injuries.

Red Wings general manager Ken Holland says Howard might return from his groin injury to play Monday or Wednesday.