Anthony Mantha To Make His Return Friday Night

Friday night at Little Caesars Arena just got a little better as Anthony Mantha has confirmed that he’ll make his return to the lineup tomorrow night against the Nashville Predators.

Mantha’s been out of the lineup with a hand injury since December 2nd. The injury came in the midst of a 3rd period fight with Patrik Nemeth.

Before sitting the last five weeks, Mantha had nine goals and 14 points through 27 games played. More was expected from the young power forward at the start of the season, though he’s implied that this short mid-season break was a good reset for his body and his mind.

“Body-wise, it’s like September,” he said to Max Bultman of The Athletic.

Mantha was playing on a top line with Dylan Larkin and Darren Helm before being sidelined. Now that Helm is also back, odds are that top line will be reunited with the hope that Mantha can start scoring at the 30-goal pace that was expected of him.

Helm and Mantha’s returns mean the Red Wings forwards have returned to full strength. Their blue line, however, is still devastated with injury.

The Red Wings take on the Predators at Little Caesars Arena tomorrow at 7:30 P.M. ET.