GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Detroit Red Wings on Saturday assigned goaltender Jimmy Howard and left wing Jiri Hudler to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Both are slated to be in the lineup tonight when the Griffins host the Cleveland Barons in an 8 p.m. start at Van Andel Arena.

Howard, 21, posted a 4-1-1 record, a 2.88 GAA and a 0.899 save percentage with the Griffins prior to his Nov. 26 recall by the Red Wings. He made his NHL debut with Detroit on Nov. 28, allowing only two goals one on a penalty shot and making 22 saves in a 5-2 win at Los Angeles. Howard, who became the 74th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL, now shows a 1-2-0 record with a sparkling 2.36 GAA and 0.920 save percentage in three starts for the Wings.

The 21-year-old Hudler led the AHL scoring race when recalled by Detroit on Sunday and currently stands near the top of the leagues charts with 16 goals (2nd), 19 assists (T4th) and 35 points (2nd). On Tuesday, he played his first game for the Red Wings since early in the 2003-04 season, recording one shot, two hits and 11:36 in ice time in a 5-2 win over New Jersey. He also went scoreless in Detroits 4-3 win at Washington last night.

Howard and Hudler are scheduled to return to the Red Wings following tonights game.