Lebda in 4 Pylon tonite

[TheWestWing 71]

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock has made one change for tonight's Game 4: Brett Lebda will be in for Andreas Lilja.

Babcock also said Darren Helm might be in depending on the health of the forwards. Based on the morning skate it didn't appear anyone was seriously banged up, but guys like Tomas Holmstrom, Mikael Samuelsson and Kris Draper are all coming off recent injuries.

While Lilja is a bigger body and a good shot-blocker, Lebda has far more of an offensive upside, and adds speed to boot.

No change in goal, for those who wondered if Chris Osgood might replace Dominik Hasek.

Freep

[mtuhockey7 23]

Hopefully Homer plays tonight and I'm glad to see Lebra in tonight too.

[edicius 3,269]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Lebda's speedy...and that's it. I don't really see much of an offensive upside, unless they mean that his addition to the lineup will offend people.

At least Lilja blocks shots, makes hits and plays relatively sound defense. Lately, our defense has been the problem compared to the offense.

[Reds4Life 51]

Thanks for the update!

[umredwing11 2]

Hmm, interesting switch. Lebda will definitely be looking to prove himself tonight, though I don't exactly agree with putting him in. Seems like Lebda is excellent at getting hit hard, and that isn't exactly an upside. Anyways, I am willing to give him a chance, knowing that our defense has been positionally awful on a couple of the goals.

[Feldmarschall 9]

This change is all about how we're losing damn never every race to a loose puck in our zone. Lebda tends to get there, whereas Lilja is content to just go back to the front of the net and play good cop/bad cop with Chelios.

[TheWestWing 71]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Lebda's speedy...and that's it. I don't really see much of an offensive upside, unless they mean that his addition to the lineup will offend people.

At least Lilja blocks shots, makes hits and plays relatively sound defense. Lately, our defense has been the problem compared to the offense.

I've always thought more of Lebda than others. Obviously he has speed, and I think he has a pretty decent shot that could easily replace Sammy on the point on the 2nd line PP. He wants for size ala Pylon, but I always thought he paired well with Kromwell. They're both still developing but if they can control the puck (more so than not at times), they coulda made a nice tandem. But it looks like the coach has other ideas.....

[jpfalcon09 0]

Lilja's services in this series aren't needed if he's not going to hit players along the boards when the Preds cycle. Lebda's the same, but he adds an element of being able to carry the puck and can break the Nashville forecheck with his speed. We'll see how it works, but after Game 3 it can't get much worse in terms of blown assignments.

[irishtemper14+25 11]

i agree liljia isnt needed this series but he prolly will be in next series if not next game(depending on how lebda plays)

i hope helm gets to play over hartigan....i would rather see adbs or helm in than hartigan

[wingnut22 81]

This pleases me. *now in mr. burns voice* Excellent.

I have been saying all along though that Lebda should at least get a few games in before a situation arises and someone gets hurt, cant hurt to have him have been playing and not be rusty.

[puckbags 863]

This change is all about how we're losing damn never every race to a loose puck in our zone. Lebda tends to get there, whereas Lilja is content to just go back to the front of the net and play good cop/bad cop with Chelios.

Exactly..this is purely a speed substitution, there isn't much more to it than that!!

[dr_lobster 0]

I haven't been disappointed with Lilja in the playoffs, but hey. Give Lebda a shot, see how it works out.

[pavyaz19 1]

I was hoping Stuart would sit for Lebda.

I'm wondering though, what does it take to make a goalie change? Two goals in 7 seconds? If Hasek wants to keep his streak going, two goals in 7 seconds is set for tonight. 3-2 Wings win.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I don't like this change one bit. I don't see what Lebda brings to the table that is so much greater than Lilja. At least Lilja can block shots on the PK. Lebda has been far from even decent down the home stretch.

Edit: (Kelsey) Grammar

Edited April 16, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[OsGOD 3]

Thank GOD babs left the pain train in the game.... I would hate to have to watch a game without Kronners massive hits!!!

Good Call Babs!

[edicius 3,269]

I don't like this change one bit. I don't see what Lebda brings to the table that is so much greater than Lilja. At least Lilja can block shots on the PK. Lebda has been far from even decent down the home stretch.

Edit: (Kelsey) Grammar

You and I think exactly alike. I honestly think that Lilja's shot blocking skill is MUCH more important than Lebda's speed. Lebda's speed isn't going to help one bit if he screws up his defensive assignments (as he was doing with great frequency down the stretch). Like pavyaz19 said, I'd much rather see Stuart sit than Lilja. Stuart's been an absolute bust out there this postseason.

[ShanahanMan 473]

I'd rather see Lilja in than Lebda honestly. Then again, with the way Stuart has been playing, I'd rather see Lebda than Stuart.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Thank GOD babs left the pain train in the game.... I would hate to have to watch a game without Kronners massive hits!!!

Good Call Babs!

I understand what you're saying since I saw the post in the other thread, but I think some people may be confused.

[Mors 201]

I'm not sure this is a positive change...I was in favor of Lilja over Lebda from the beginning. Guess we'll find out tonight.

[jvxp 0]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. Lebda's speedy...and that's it. I don't really see much of an offensive upside, unless they mean that his addition to the lineup will offend people.

At least Lilja blocks shots, makes hits and plays relatively sound defense. Lately, our defense has been the problem compared to the offense.

I agree. Also Lebda is so small, they are going to T-off on him. He will be picking himself up a lot tonight.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Well, I think the only ways people will be satisfied with the change is:

A. we win

or

B. we lose but Lebda scores a goal

Other than that, it is a lateral move. One has skills we need and the other one has skills we need.

[Mors 201]

Well, I think the only ways people will be satisfied with the change is:

A. we win

or

B. we lose but Lebda scores a goal

Other than that, it is a lateral move. One has skills we need and the other one has skills we need.

So what we really need is to frankenstein them together into some kind of mutant Lilda that is big and blocks shots, but actually has legs that can move...

[wingslogo19 281]

Im not really happy by this move, but I'll live with it since im not the coach

[GoWings1905 2,694]

I'm not crazy about this move at all. Besides Lebda being fast, what else does he really provide? Lilja is a better penalty killer and shot blocker. Lebda isn't very strong from a defensive standpoint either. I wasn't impressed with Lebda all season, and tonight will probably be no different. I would rather see Meech in over Lebda, if a change really needs to be made. Sure, Lilja makes some bad decisions, but Lebda isn't an upgrade if the Red Wings are looking for more defensive help.

I have a feeling we'll be seeing a Brett Lebda thread similar to the Lilja one created after the game three loss. I hope Lebda proves me wrong, but I don't feel too strongly about that possibility at all.

[arnoldbuck 0]

I'm gunna have to say I dont overlly like this either. I like Lilja. I'm hoping he is going to come out in game 5 angry and throw the body.

But I want Stewart to start throwing some bombs as well.