Nobody was more eager to get on the ice Friday and play than defenseman Christian Djoos.
Acquired on waivers Jan. 9 from Anaheim, Djoos was unavailable to practice while quarantining.
Djoos, 26, was able to get on the ice this week, but the Red Wings never did have an actual, full-scale practice.
When COVID-19 protocols took a bite out of the Red Wings lineup, coach Jeff Blashill put Djoos into the lineup, never mind the lack of practice time.
Djoos was beyond ready.
“I haven’t played a game in 10 months, said Djoos, who was playing in Anaheim when the pandemic struck, and the Ducks (like the Wings) didn’t qualify for the Return To Play last summer.