Tanguay, Halpern back in Lightning lineup tonight at Detroit

One game after being healthy scratches, former All-Star winger Alex Tanguay and veteran center Jeff Halpern will return to the lineup tonight as the Lightning invade Hockey Town to face the Detroit Red Wings.

Coach Rick Tocchet benched Tanguay in Nashville on Tuesday in an attempt to shake the 30-year-old out of a month-long slump. Although Tanguay was one of the last players off the ice following Thursday's morning skate, generally an indicator for who will be out of the lineup, Tocchet said Tanguay will play against the Red Wings.

"Guys get into situations where they are at crossroads in their career, and Alex is 30 now and been on a few teams," Tocchet said. "So, it's not about, 'Other guys are making mistakes so why is it me (being scratched)?' '' Tocchet said. "To me, it's, 'Worry about yourself, worry about your piece of the carpet. Do the things we ask, work hard and the coaching staff will have no problem with you.' ''

Tanguay has not scored a goal since Nov. 16 in Phoenix when he produced a season-high three points. Since them, Tanguay has five assists and 12 shots on goal in 14 games. He has no points in his past four games and one in the past nine. He said he remained out on the ice late to get in some extra work.

"I have to get my confidence back; it's not going to come from anybody else,'' Tanguay said. "I'm going to do whatever I have to do to help the team.''

Halpern was scratched in Nashville for what Lightning coach Rick Tocchet described as a situation between Halpern and him, but was not a violation of team rules.

Hedman a game-time decision

Rookie defenseman Victor Hedman dressed for Thursday's morning skate, took a couple of strides on the ice and immediately returned to the locker room for treatment on a bruised left foot.

Hedman took a puck off his foot during practice on Wednesday from a shot by defenseman Kurtis Foster, but returned to the ice to finish practice. Hedman was limping around as he left the arena on Wednesday with his left shoe was untied. He said the pain subsided overnight and hoped it would decrease more before tonight's game and allow him to play.

"It's very close,'' Hedman said. "It wasn't too comfortable on the ice, but we'll see tonight. I want to play. But it will be up to the coaches to decide, and if I don't feel 100 percent they said I shouldn't play because they need guys who can play 100 percent.''

In your face

The new birthday tradition of a shaving cream pie in the face making its way through the locker room is not relegated just to the players. Already this season Stephane Veilleux, Ryan Malone and Kurtis Foster have been victimized.

On Thursday, strength and condition coach Chuck Lobe was hit with the celebratory pie in the face.

Next up on the list of potential victims is Hedman, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on Friday while the team is in St. Louis.

Nuts and bolts

Detroit is expected to start goaltender Jimmy Howard tonight while veteran Chris Osgood serves as the backup. Osgood, however, holds a 17-0 career record against the Lightning. ... Tampa Bay goaltender Mike Smith will make his first start since a loss last week at home to Edmonton. Antero Niittymaki started the first three games of the six-game road trip. ... The team will depart Detroit tonight for St. Louis for Friday's game. Tampa Bay is 3-0-1 in the second half of back-to-back games this season. ... Former Lightning defenseman Doug Janik was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids and be in the lineup tonight. ... Red Wings forward Drew Miller, picked up on waivers from Tampa Bay in November, has three goals and two assists with Detroit after going without a point for the Lightning.