'It'll be back to what it was': Bertuzzi to make return against Penguins

Tyler Bertuzzi sat at a podium, his hand scratching his neck, and admitted that he felt some nerves.

"Definitely," he said. "I'm excited though, just to get back into it."
Bertuzzi makes his return to the Detroit Red Wings' lineup on Thursday night, coming back from a major back surgery that kept him out for all but nine games last season. There have been stops and starts - he thought he would be back by the end of last season, then suffered a setback. It didn't look like preseason would be an issue when he played in training camp, including the scrimmage, then six preseason games went by without him in the lineup.

No one ever indicated worry that Bertuzzi would miss the season opener next Thursday. But back injuries can be fickle things.
"I think I got a little bit sore over camp after Day 3 or 4," Bertuzzi said, "and it was kinda easing my way back into it and didn't wanna rush anything, really. I'm looking forward to playing tonight."
That soreness was not unexpected. It's not just the surgery, Bertuzzi explained, but all the muscles around the back that were working harder to compensate for the back. That, on top of spending six or seven months away from the ice. Even throughout the year, he would be foolish not to expect some soreness.
"But eventually, it'll be back to where it was," Bertuzzi said.
The Red Wings have had some recent experience in seeing a player return from major back surgery with Danny DeKeyser. As time went by, the difference in his play was notable. "It was pretty much kinda the same surgery," Bertuzzi said, and they see each other doing the same stretches in the gym now.
"Danny, his strength in his legs was affected more than Tyler's is," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "So Danny didn't have as much to do with rust as it had to do with really strength and power in his legs. And he took the time once we sat him back out to build that back up and he's worked hard at it and he's closer to where he used to be. I don't think Bert's had nearly the same effect from it."

The psychological effect will be the first obstacle on Thursday night. When Dylan Larkin played his first preseason game after injury, he spoke afterwards of needing to get contact out of the way, and building that moment up in his head.
"You go out and you play and you worry a little bit about getting hurt," Blashill said Thursday.
But in hockey, and with Bertuzzi specifically, physicality is a big part of the game. And that first hit will come and go.
"I think (contact's) gonna come throughout the game," Bertuzzi said. "I'm definitely not gonna be running around looking for it, but it's hockey. It's gonna happen around the net and stuff like that."
He ended that answer by repeating that he was looking forward to playing - a phrase with which he ended four of his answers during a six-minute session with media after the Red Wings' morning skate, but not his last.
"I'm very excited," he said. "Little bit nervous, haven't been nervous for a game in a long time. I'm excited to be out there with the guys, get back into it.
"Just kinda ease back into it and have fun playing."

Red Wings and Tigers offer Home Opener ticket package

On Thursday morning, the Red Wings and Detroit Tigers combined to offer fans a chance to buy seats for both teams' opening day.
Starting at $59, the package gets you tickets to both the Red Wings' opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning next Thursday and the Tigers' home opener on April 8 against the Chicago White Sox.
The sale runs until Monday at 10:00 a.m. with limited supply available. Fans can visit
DetroitRedWings.com/Openers
to buy tickets.