DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings returned to practice Thursday after a rare but much-needed two-day break during a tough portion of the schedule (11 of 14 games on the road), as they prepare for a home-and-home series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

They visit Columbus on Friday (7 p.m., FSD) and host the Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

“We got six games before the all-star break. We gave the team two days off -- we got in at 5 in the morning (Tuesday) -- but we gave them the following day off,'' coach

said. "We got to freshen up so we can go into the all-star break with a real push.

"It’s important as a team that we get better defensively. Our penalty kill has fallen off. We’ve been giving up too many goals. If we’re going to be successful in the end, we got to be better. It’s great that we’re leading the league in goals for -- and I love that stat -- but I like the other one, too.’’

Center

did not practice -- Babcock said he was given a personal day -- but he'll play on Friday.

Here are the lines they skated with:

Franzen-Zetterberg-Holmstrom

Hudler-Filppula-Bertuzzi

Draper-Helm-Eaves

Miller-Mursak

Lidstrom-Kronwall

Ericsson-Rafalski

Kindl-Salei

Howard (starting)

MacDonald

Columbus has lost five in a row, allowing four of more goals in each game. The reeling Blue Jackets are 6-14-3 following a strong 14-6-0 start.

is happy the NHL granted the club's request not to select him for the All-Star game, giving him an opportunity to rest his back, which has been bothering him for two weeks.

“I think it’s best for our team, I think it’s best for me,'' Zetterberg said. "If I was 100 percent, I would love to go. But now, the situation with the injuries we have and the way it’s been going lately, I think it’s best for everyone.’’