96warrior 11 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/ Looks like a curveball or two in tonight's lineup for Detroit. Derek Meech will definitely play forward tonight, according to coach Mike Babcock. Why there's a need for him up front isn't as clear. Aaron Downey will be in the lineup. So will Darren Helm. That means that one forward who played in Sunday's game in Columbus will be absent tonight, but when asked which forward, Babcock declined to name one. It might be that a veteran will be given a night off to rest a lingering injury. -- Babcock did say that Brett Lebda and Chris Chelios will play tonight, making Andreas Lilja a healthy scratch. Babcock said yesterday that those three will battle for the third defense pairing in the playoffs. -- Tomas Holmstrom did battle drills at the morning skate and said afterwards that he felt great. What Holmstrom can't do well right now is straight-ahead skating (insert punch line here). His abdominal strain still lingers. Holmstrom had hopes of returning to the lineup Thursday night in Nashville, but that seems out now. Saturday in Columbus would be his earliest return. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edicius 3,269 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Eh, can't say I'm too thrilled with Lebda in over Lilja, but if it's a rotation/competition, it's Lebda's job to lose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danroy169 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Eh, can't say I'm too thrilled with Lebda in over Lilja, but if it's a rotation/competition, it's Lebda's job to lose. My guess is Hank Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
58Miles2Joe 12 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 My guess is Hank you beat me to it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Deke 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Meech playing forward is great. I like that kid a lot, he's mad hustle. He's not bad on D, but he LOVES to crash the net and get in behind the boards. He does it dcecently well as a young defenseman. Should be interesting to see how he does it as a forward without defensive responsibilities to ultimately worry about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dallas27 7 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Ugh, it's probably Hank as the others have said. I'm going to the game, that's going to be disappointing if Z isn't playing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HkyTwn 5 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Ugh, it's probably Hank as the others have said. I'm going to the game, that's going to be disappointing if Z isn't playing. I sure as heck hope not...especially since I'll be there too for my first game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13dats 1 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 I sure as heck hope not...especially since I'll be there too for my first game. Z will play, this would be Fill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Z will play, this would be Fill Are you saying that Filppula is injured? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
96warrior 11 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 I guess that would make sense. Hasn't he been kept out of practice recently because of a leg injury? The posting does say it may be to rest a player with a nagging injury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kylee 727 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 zetterberg has a leg injury too? i know his back still hurts.... ugh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
96warrior 11 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 No, Flip has the leg injury. He's missed a couple of practices, but no games with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslogo19 281 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 My guess is Flips, i think he's been playing with a hurt game over the past few games. good idea to let him rest and be ready for the playoffs Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
discohadestwo 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Val's out with a groin injury... Derek Meech is on left wing!!!! That's the best news ever. Coach Mike Babcock said after the morning skate that Kris Draper and Tomas Holmstrom are both out tonight. Aaron Downey and Darren Helm are both in, and Derek Meech will go at left wing rather than his usual spot on defense. Red Wing Blog Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Z will play, this would be Fill Are you saying that Filppula is injured? Here- take this: You've earned it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Majsheppard 203 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 I was hoping they would try Meech as a forward. It makes sense because he showed excellent offensive skill with the puck during our injured strech, and we simply have too many quality Dmen in the pipeline for Meech to actually contribute there. Let us hope we just found another winger! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteLightning91 105 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Val's out with a groin injury... Derek Meech is on left wing!!!! That's the best news ever. Red Wing Blog Where did you read that Filppula is out with a groin injury? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 1,048 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 My guess would be Filppula as well (i mentioned as much in the article update here.) That thigh injury has been nagging him for the last couple of weeks and I haven't seen mention of any improvement with it since the initial mention last week. My thinking is that they don't want to play him in the back-to-back and that he'll be getting a 3-day stretch of no game activity to hopefully help. Doesn't hurt to keep Meech relatively fresh, either, since he's No. 8 on the depth chart. <-- Hoping to god it isn't Hank. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Where did you read that Filppula is out with a groin injury? its on his facebook Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13dats 1 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Are you saying that Filppula is injured? Nope, what I'm saying is that Flip will not play tonight Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 Here- take this: You've earned it! "This would be fill" in not correct grammatical syntax. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
13dats 1 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 (edited) its on his facebook Edited March 19, 2008 by 13dats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
40#1Fan 0 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 From the Detroit News: Derek Meech will go from playing defense to forward Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Meech, who last played up front as a 16-year-old in junior hockey, will be pressed to action because of injuries. Coach Mike Babcock wouldn't reveal who is unable to play, but hinted more than one forward is banged up. "We'll know more about it tonight," Babcock said. "We have some players who obviously aren't 100 percent. If they can play without hurting themselves, or putting themselves in a bad spot, we'll see after the warmup who is going." Meech's reaction? "It'll be awesome," Meech said. "I'm really excited about being in the lineup again. It's an opportunity to get back in the lineup and help the team." Babcock said Aaron Downey, who missed two games last weekend with the flu, will play against Columbus, as will Darren Helm. The Wings brought back Helm because Kris Draper (groin) isn't ready to play, and likely won't until Saturday in Columbus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HockeyCrazy3033 168 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 That's awesome bout Meech. I always pictured him at forward anyway. LOL it's definitely special he can play both though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted March 19, 2008 I really hope it's not Z. Or whoever the player is, that this is just rest for a nagging injury and nothing serious. Shouldn't Samuelsson need a night off soon to rest his sore arms? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
