"The Red Wings arrived home Tuesday from Phoenix, ready to make a few doctor's appointments.

Goalie Jimmy Howard will visit a hand specialist today, general manager Ken Holland said. Howard suffered a small fracture to his right index finger Thursday at Vancouver when he was hit by a puck, but the injury never was considered serious, and Holland didn't rule out Howard returning by Friday (vs. Ducks) or Sunday (vs. Flyers).

"If the doctor tells him today he can practice, and he can get his equipment worked out, we think he'll be ready to play very soon," Holland said."