Red Wings will begin defense of Cup with Cleary

DETROIT - Detroit Red Wings forward Dan Cleary says he will be healthy enough to play in Game 1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Cleary said Wednesday he left practice the previous day with a lower-body injury.

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock also said Cleary would play Thursday night at home in Game 1 of their first-round series against Columbus.

Cleary scored 14 goals during the regular season and had at least 40 points for the third straight season in Detroit. The native of Carbonear, Newfoundland, has 249 career points in 11 NHL seasons with Chicago, Edmonton, Phoenix and Detroit.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)