After serving as a healthy scratch the last two games, Filip Hronek expected to return against Capitals

After missing the last two games as a healthy scratch, defenseman @Filip Hronek is slated to return to action Wednesday when the Detroit Red Wings visit the Washington Capitals at the Capital One Arena.

Hronek, 23, sat out his team’s back-to-back series against the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks this past weekend, and hasn’t dressed in a game since Oct. 21. As a result, if he indeed plays against the Capitals, it’ll be his first time back in the lineup in nearly a week.

Based on the line combinations from Detroit’s morning skate, it appears the right-handed blueliner will be joined by veteran @Nick Leddy on the second defensive pairing. In turn, rookie @Moritz Seider and @Dan Dekeyser are expected to occupy the top pairing.

Considering Hronek was expected to serve in a consistent top-four role heading into his fourth season in the National Hockey League, it’s been extremely shocking to watch him spend these last two games in the press box. Having said that, if he performs well during this upcoming matchup, then perhaps his name will remain in the lineup more regularly moving forward.

Offensively, the former second-round pick has struggled mightily compared to previous seasons, as he posted just one assist, four shots on goal and has also committed four separate giveaways through four games.

Defensively, it’s become an even larger issue for the Czech Republic native, which has seen him register career worsts regarding his on-ice Corsi For percentage (36.6%), Fenwick For percentage (37.3%), high-danger chances for percentage (16.7%) and expected goals for percentage (38.0%) at 5-on-5, according to NatutalStatTrick.com.

For Hronek’s sake, it’ll be critical to rediscover the success he’s enjoyed previously in his young career, both offensive and defensively, and prove he deserves to become a regular fixture on Detroit’s backend once again.

The Red Wings and Capitals are scheduled to begin this Wednesday night showdown at 7:00 pm ET.