WingsLive Pre-Game Chat with Andreas Lilja

[Guest mindfly]

"WingsLive" is Andreas

12:56 WingsLive: Thanks for joining us for today's Pre-Game Live Chat with Andreas Lilja. He will be joining us shortly. So go ahead and fire your questions to us, and the Red Wings defenseman will begin answering your questions soon.

1:00 [Comment From Joni]

Love The Wings! Good Luck

1:01 WingsLive: In his eighth NHL season, Andreas Lilja completed his fourth campaign with the Red Wings this year. Originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings, Lilja signed a two-year extention with the Wings on June 30, 2009, thus avoiding the free agency market last summer. He hasn't played since suffering a concussion in Nashville on Feb. 28. Andreas is been kind enough to accept the invitation from the New Media and Publishing Department to provide a player's insight into the Stanley Cup playoffs. He will host an hour-long Live Chat at 1 p.m. EDT on Red Wings' game days. Please welcome Detroit Red Wings defenseman Andreas Lilja to WingsLive!

1:01 [Comment From Kellee Smith]

While you don't want to look ahead of Columbus, do you follow the other 1st round games?

1:01 WingsLive: Kellee, of course we do. It's always exciting to see a lot of other games going on.

1:02 [Comment From Cameron]

What do you think has lead Anaheim to a 2-0 series lead over S.J?

1:02 WingsLive: Cameron, it's great defense and great goaltending.

1:02 [Comment From Nixie (Columbus, OH)]

How are you feeling?? We have been very concerned about your injury.

1:02 WingsLive: Thanks Nixie. Really no update. It's getting better, but there are still consistent headaches.

1:03 [Comment From Frank]

Lils, how easy is it to pick up and learn good habits that Lidstrom showcases on the ice

1:03 WingsLive: Frank, just watching him practice and play every day helps me try to be a better player.

1:04 [Comment From Brian]

I can see detroit taking blue jackets 4-0 in round 1

1:04 WingsLive: Hey Brian, thanks for your support. I hope that you're right!

1:04 [Comment From Gustaf]

Before a game when do you leave home? how long before the game starts does the team meet? whats the typical ritual?

1:06 WingsLive: Gustaf, I try to be at the rink 2 1/2 hours before game time. Then we have a team meeting about 75 minutes before game time. ... My ritual is more about being repetitive in my routine.

1:06 [Comment From David]

Do you plan to do things any differently now that the series is in Columbus?

1:06 WingsLive: David, no. we have to expect them to come out a lot harder. But no, we will do the same things.

1:07 [Comment From Cheryl Low]

Andreas, I love you! You are my favorite player!!! I still need you to sign my jerseys. You said you'd stop and sign them when I talked to you at the Toast of Hockeytown, but I haven't seen you since then because you've been hurt. I hope you're feeling better!!

1:07 WingsLive: Thanks, Cheryl. If I see you outside of the rink, I will be sure to stop.

1:07 [Comment From Frank]

is Pav a good leader on and off the ice?

1:08 WingsLive: Frank, especialy on the ice. He doesn't say too much, but he leads by example on the ice.

1:08 [Comment From Guest]

When will you be back in the line-up? We miss #3.

1:08 WingsLive: Hopefully very soon!

1:09 [Comment From pmills]

why do u think you guys werent winning as much at the end of the season? It seemed like you guys kind of gave up or maybe even got bored.

1:09 WingsLive: I think a lot of teams were playing a lot harder just to get into the playoffs, and we had already secured a spot.

1:09 [Comment From Mitchell Assenmacher]

Do you think that what you guys have been doing lately will hold up tonight in front of this tough columbus crowd?

1:10 WingsLive: Mitchell, I think the atmosphere will be unbelievable, but I don't think that it will change our game.

1:10 [Comment From Tyler]

what do you have to do to win tonight

1:10 WingsLive: Tyler, we have to player great defense and score more than they do!

1:10 [Comment From Jeff]

Are you expecting a physical gaMe tonight after the way Saturday ended?

1:11 WingsLive: Jeff, yes, of course. All of the playoff games are physical. We just have to continue to play our style.

1:11 [Comment From Chris]

how do you think ozzie is doing between the pipes?

1:12 WingsLive: Chris, Ozzie is doing great, just like I knew that he would.

1:12 [Comment From Dylpickle93]

Do you think your goal tender is ready?

1:12 WingsLive: Yes, he proved that in the first two games of the series in Detroit.

1:13 [Comment From Pav for MVP]

darren helm seems to be a huge asset to the wings and in grand rapids he was great on the PK, any chance wings use him for that

1:13 WingsLive: Maybe MVP. But we have some great PK players out there for us.

1:13 [Comment From Chris]

what is it going to take to keep nash off the score board in columbus?

1:14 WingsLive: Chris, we have to keep playing him hard like we did in Detroit and to keep him to the outside.

1:14 [Comment From Cameron]

I always saw you in the hall behind Babcock prior to the start of each period...what's this ritual?

1:15 WingsLive: Thanks Cameron. I'm always one of the first guys out of the locker room. That is one of my rituals.

1:15 [Comment From Franci]

We miss Andreas!! We hope to see you out there... Feel Better!! Go Wings...

1:15 WingsLive: Thanks, Franci!

1:16 [Comment From JayInDenver]

I've got my tickets to the season opener in Stockholm next year (flying there from Denver). How excited are you to open the season there? Also, do you think there will be opportunities to meet the team before the game?

1:17 WingsLive: Thanks, Jay! I'm really excited to have my family and friends who have never beed to an NHL game be there in Stockholm. It will be a thrill. ...

1:17 [Comment From Steve]

What goes through your mind when you block a shot?

1:18 WingsLive: Steve, the first thing is that it doesn't go through, and that it hits me.

1:18 [Comment From Chris]

what is it like to hold the cup over your head

1:18 WingsLive: Chris, it's really, really, really exciting. It's a dream for everybody!

1:19 [Comment From Carson]

Why do you think Pavel Doesn't get the media attention as Ovie, Malkin and Crosby? Could it be because he's just better than the 3?

1:19 WingsLive: Carson, I don't think Pavel needs to be in the media like those guys to prove that he's a great player.

1:19 [Comment From GHHansen]

How does NHL playoff hockey compare to Swedish championship games?

1:20 WingsLive: GHHansen, it's a lot tougher. The ice surface makes it a completely different game

1:20 [Comment From Cameron]

Do you still see or speak to Jiri Fischer? What's in his future?

1:21 WingsLive: Hey Cameron, I see Fischer about once a week. He's working in player development in the Red Wings' front office.

1:21 [Comment From Andrea]

Will you be in the locker room watching the game?

1:22 WingsLive: Andrea, yes, I will be watchnig the game in the locker room, and playing two-touch with Kris Draper.

1:22 [Comment From Jackie Reedy]

What do you think of Jonathon Ericsson? We miss Ericsson, here in Grand Rapids. I think, I can vouch for all of Hockeytown West that we'd like to see the Wings keep going.

1:22 WingsLive: Hi Jackie, I think he's a great player, who will be even better next year.

1:22 [Comment From Wayne]

Just bring the cup back to detriot where it should stay!

1:23 WingsLive: Thanks Wayne. We will try to do that!

1:23 [Comment From Guest]

Who has the worst playoff beard on the team?

1:23 WingsLive: Right now, it has to be Filppula. He could have started one at Christmas, and still not have a good one.

1:24 [Comment From Sara]

Hej Andreas! hoppas du spela igen snart!

1:24 WingsLive: Thank you, Sara, I hope I'm back soon!

1:25 [Comment From Mark]

Will Ville Leino see any playing time this series?

1:26 WingsLive: Hey Mark, don't know, because his Grand Rapids team is still in the Calder Cup playoffs.

1:26 [Comment From Matt]

Whats your favorite thing about playing defence?

1:27 WingsLive: Matt, I like to help out our goalies.

1:27 [Comment From Eric]

does it bother you or the team when people doubt you guys ability to win in the playoff's?

1:27 WingsLive: How can anyone doubt a team like ours????

1:27 [Comment From Wayne]

so are you really him?

1:28 WingsLive: Yes, Wayne, it is me, Andreas Lilja live and in person, typing from the meal room, and watching Draper eating chicken.

1:28 [Comment From Mark]

Where is the worst place to play a playoff game at?

1:29 WingsLive: Mark, there's no bad place to play a playoff game.

1:29 [Comment From Pete]

Who's the best skater on the team?

1:29 WingsLive: Pete, Darren Helm is the fastest skater right now.

1:30 [Comment From Matt]

Do you believe Draper will play in this series?

1:30 WingsLive: Matt, I sure hope so.

1:30 [Comment From Ryan]

How do you approach playoff travel differently in comparison to travel in the regular season?

1:30 WingsLive: Ryan, it's really no different.

1:31 [Comment From Maddie]

Is Draper enjoying his chicken?

1:31 WingsLive: It sure looks like it!

1:31 [Comment From Jessica]

When did you arrive in Columbus?

1:32 WingsLive:

Monday afternoon around 4:15 p.m. EDT

1:32 [Comment From Jay]

Is Draper eating KFC or grilled chicken?

1:32 WingsLive: Jay, it's grilled chicken.

1:32 [Comment From Robert Rasco]

Andres, do you think McCarty will be brought back to the Wings this year? Is it his injury or salary cap issues that have delayed his return?

1:32 WingsLive: Maybe. It's not my call.

1:33 [Comment From Joshua]

how big is not to have to travel too far in the first round, say to aneheim or one of those western cities?

1:33 WingsLive: Joshua, it's a really big factor for future series not to travel too far in the opening round.

1:33 [Comment From Andrea]

Do you ever have huge dinners with all the players and families?

1:34 WingsLive: Andrea, yes, but mostly we just have big dinners with the team on the road.

1:34 [Comment From Linda]

Do you really get the mail if we send it to you

1:34 WingsLive: Yes, Linda, but it's really slow, so it can sometimes take up to a month to get to us.

1:34 [Comment From Josh]

How has Ozzy's attitude changed since you guys started the series? I mean off the rink. We all know he's playing great, especially when compared to this season. Do you think he's finally over his slump?

1:35 WingsLive: Josh, his attitude never changes. He's always been a great guy and an excellent goaltender.

1:35 [Comment From tom]

are you able to lift or workout at all yet

1:36 WingsLive: Not yet.

1:36 [Comment From Patrik]

Hej Andreas, hoppas du är på planen snart! Har biljetter till DRW i Gobe Arena i september, skall bli fantastiskt roligt att se. Go Wings!

1:37 WingsLive: Thanks Patrik, looking forward to seeing you at the Globe in September!

1:37 [Comment From Mariam]

Who would you say is the best player in the league as of now?

1:37 WingsLive: Hi Mariam, for me it's Pavel Datsyuk.

1:37 [Comment From John]

What is your favorite restaurant in metro Detroit?

1:38 WingsLive: Hi John, I have to say Happy Sushi in Novi.

1:39 [Comment From Matt]

Only the real Andreas can answer this who did you play for during the lockout?

1:40 WingsLive: Matt, I played for Mora in the SEL and then to Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland.

1:40 [Comment From tom]

You and your teamates play any poker? if so,,,who do you think is the best

1:41 WingsLive: Tom, we play poker some times. Rafaksi, Lebda and myself are probably the better players on the team. Ericcson though has to be the dark horse.

1:41 [Comment From Frank]

Do you guys give Datsyuk a tough time about his acting carrer in his Doctor Romani commercial?

1:43 WingsLive: Hi Frank, just a little bit, but not too bad. "Trust your eyes to Dr. Romani (but do it in a Russian accent!)

1:43 [Comment From Adam]

according to you, who has the best looking wife?

1:43 WingsLive: That's easy Adam, it's my wife!

1:44 [Comment From Kenny, in Marquette]

How is the playoff beard coming along? How long would it take you to have the same looking beard as Hank?

1:44 WingsLive: Kenny, it's slowly getting there. Hank is in a different league!

1:45 WingsLive: OK Red Wings' fans, I have to get going, so I'll field one last question.

1:46 [Comment From Jack]

have you ever thought of going back to wooden sticks?

1:46 WingsLive: Jack, the answer is no. They are too heavy compared to these new ones.

1:47 WingsLive: Thanks everyone for joining me this afternoon, and for your awesome support of our great team. ... Talk to you again this Thursday at 1 p.m. EDT, live from Nationwide Arena here in Columbus!

Go Wings!

[Ms_Hockey 0]

does it bother you or the team when people doubt you guys ability to win in the playoff's?

1:27 WingsLive: How can anyone doubt a team like ours????

True that, Lils.

[edicius 3,269]

Damn, I hope he gets better. Miss having him on the ice for us.