Howard is slated to finally return to the Wings lineup on Friday against the Blackhawks .
Howard was having a career year statistically until a knee injury sidelined him on Dec. 20 against the Lightning in Tampa .
Howard , who was having a career year statistically until a knee injury sidelined him on Dec. 20 against the Lightning in Tampa , is slated to finally return to the Wings lineup on Friday against the Blackhawks .