Hedman misses second game

Rookie D Victor Hedman did not want to sit out Thursday's game. But after a brief skate in the morning, the No. 2 overall pick - who will celebrate his 19th birthday today - didn't make it out for warmups and missed his second game of the season.

In addition, RW Steve Downie sat out with a bruise below his left eye after his face hit the ice during a fight Tuesday in Nashville. Downie said Thursday he had no problems with vision or anything and felt good, but is listed as day-to-day.

Hedman, meanwhile, suffered a bruise on his left foot during practice Wednesday when he was hit by a shot by D Kurtis Foster. Hedman was limping noticeably Wednesday, but he was getting around better Thursday, although not well enough to play. He also is listed as day-to-day.

"It's very close," Hedman said Thursday morning. "I wasn't too comfortable in the morning, but if I'm not 100 percent, (the coaches) say they need guys who are 100 percent."

Back on board

A game after being a healthy scratch, former All-Star Alex Tanguay returned to the lineup Thursday.

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 of who will be out of the lineup, Tocchet said Tanguay would play.

"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 since Nov. 16 in Phoenix when he produced a season-high three points. Since then, Tanguay has five assists and 12 shots in 14 games. He has no points in his past four games and one in the past nine. He remained 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."

Miller time

Former Lightning LW Drew Miller said he was somewhat surprised when Tampa Bay placed him on waivers last month, but he said he couldn't have landed in a better spot than Detroit.

In 17 games with the Red Wings, Miller has three goals and five points after going without a point in 14 games with the Lightning. Miller said he has found a good fit with an undermanned Detroit squad, which also happens to be very close to family and friends in East Lansing, Mich.

"It's great, it's one of those things where you think that maybe at some point in your career you would get to play here, now here it is and I'm just trying to make the most of it," Miller said. "I was disappointed (to be waived), I felt I was going to get a chance there to try to help that team grow. It didn't happen and that's the business side of it. No hard feelings, they made a move for themselves, and it ended up working out for me."

Nuts and bolts

C Jeff Halpern took a puck to the face that required about 12 stitches, but he is expected to be fine. ... Ex-Lightning D Doug Janik was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids and made his second appearance of the year for Detroit. ... Strength coach Chuck Lobe got a shaving-cream pie to the face for his birthday Thursday.

Erik Erlendsson