Filppula (groin) doesn't skate, but will play in Minnesota

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

Includes good news about Kronwall too.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Detroit Red Wings center Valtteri Filppula did not practice Wednesday at the Xcel Energy Center due to a minor groin strain that flared up in the third period Tuesday in Washington. But Filppula said he definitely will play Thursday against Minnesota.

"Just a precaution,'' Filppula said. "It's good. Don't want to take any risks, for sure I'm going to play tomorrow.''

The Red Wings will go with the same lineup they used in Washington, with the exception of Jimmy Howard starting in goal. So Ville Leino stays in and Brad May will be scratched.

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall is getting his conditioning back and getting closer to returning from his sprained MCL.

"If I keep progressing like I have, I would think within the next week is something I would shoot for,'' Kronwall said. "I got to get the lungs back, the legs back underneath me. It's a big difference when you skate.''

Despite their three-game winless streak (0-1-2), the team had some fun in practice, which ended with a shootout drill.

"This is (Andreas) LIlja's fault because we haven't been having enough shootouts,'' coach Mike Babcock said. "He was always in charge of the shootout. If we would have had more shootouts in practice maybe we would have won more or the coach would have picked the right guy. So it's all on Lilja.''

MLive

Edited January 20, 2010 by Howard He Do It?!

[Wings_Toledo 233]

I really hope Kronwall is able to play soon. It's really frustrating that Lilja is able to practice with the team but not cleared to play because of the headaches. You can't help but feel really bad for him, and the team could really use him right now. Not only that, but now Babs is dumping all the blame on him! (jk)

[Konnan511 1,736]

Lilja back to being the whipping boy!!!!

[cupforwings 138]

it seems Babs just acknowledged he doesn't really know who to put in the shootout after the big 3... I would go Filpula, Leino, the Cleary probably... or maybe kronwall

[Guest mindfly]

Good to hear it's more of a conditioning issue with kronwall and his knee feel almost as good as before perhaps`?

[Echolalia 2,961]

Babs is picking on the handicapped again.

[Z and D for the C 712]

So Kronwall has been skating?

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

So Kronwall has been skating?

Yes. They showed him skating in practice during the game broadcast last night.

[Rick Zombos Ghost 82]

as long as Leino is in were ok.

[Datsyuk2Zetterberg 1]

if there is reason to be concerned, I hope they actaully sit him for 1 game, just as a precaution. Can't afford to lose another top 6 player for any lengthy duration of time.

[FinWing 26]

Great to hear the team is still in high spirits and having fun.

[Datsyerberger 279]

Babs is picking on the handicapped again.

Really? I didn't see him mention Lebda.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

lebda isn't handicapped, just special

[mmamolo 287]

Not to get off topic here but someone mentioned putting Leino in the shootout somewhere after the big three. I actually think that would be a great idea. It would put him in a scoring position, with a little pressure, and if he scored I'm sure it would feel good to beat an NHL goaltender in a quasi game situation. It could help his confidence. Who knows...I say it's worth a shot.

I dont know if I can handle seeing Cleary just skate straight in and let off a drinky wrist shot again.