Jimmy Howard is set to dress for Friday's Red Wings game.
Whether or not he'll play is up to Jeff Blashill, who once again has a difficult decision to make between the pipes.
Howard was removed from injured reserve Wednesday. He missed the last seven games with a groin injury.
He played his best hockey in months before going on injured reserve. In his absence, Petr Mrazek went 4-0-2.
The goalie success is obviously a good problem for Blashill and the Red Wings.
Andreas Athanasious could also return to action during the team's upcoming five-game homestand, Detroit Free Press reporter Helene St. James wrote this week.
Athanasiou has been out since November 10 with a knee injury.
Goaltender Jared Coreau and forward Tomas Nosek were sent down to Grand Rapids.