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Jimmy Howard is ready to come back, joins Red Wings for road trip

St. Louis Blues v Detroit Red Wings

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 23: Johan Franzen #93 of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates a win over the St. Louis Blues with teammate Jimmy Howard #35 during their NHL game at Joe Louis Arena on January 23, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

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Without Jimmy Howard in goal, the stress of trying to win the Central Division and finish at or near the top of the Western Conference has fallen on Joey MacDonald’s shoulders. While MacDonald has done well filling in for Jimmy Howard, it’s time for the starter to take over again.

Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press hears it from Wings GM Ken Holland that Howard will rejoin the team for their California road trip and is over a groin injury that put him on the shelf for the last three games. With Howard being back and ready to play, Jordan Pearce was sent back to the AHL.

With the season down to the wire now, it’ll be up to Howard to help the Red Wings stay in the hunt with St. Louis. His job is made a bit harder with both Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk both still out with their separate ailments. Detroit could use a pick-me-up though as they’ve lost six of their last nine games.