Everyone associated with the Detroit Red Wings has to be crossing their fingers.

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall, who suffered a right knee sprain on March 12, is feeling good and hopeful about returning to the lineup Saturday against the Florida Panthers, according to MLive.com's Ansar Khan.

Kronwall clearly close to return. He's alternating with DeKeyser at point on top PP unit, with Zetterberg, Nyquist, Larkin, Abdelkader. — Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) March 18, 2016

The Swede was expected out one-to-three weeks, so while he's technically on track to return, his presence would be huge for Detroit, as the Red Wings are fighting for their playoff lives. Detroit has a one-point lead over the Philadelphia Flyers for the second wild-card spot in the East, but Philly has two games in hand and is rolling - the Flyers have won two in a row and eight of 10.

Kronwall has three goals and 17 assists in 53 games, averaging 22:58 in ice time per game.

Also on the Red Wings' back end, head coach Jeff Blashill confirmed that Jimmy Howard will start in the crease against Florida. Petr Mrazek is ill and didn't practice Friday.