Ericsson back in lineup, Howard to start vs Edmonton

[Guest mindfly]

Jonathan Ericsson back in lineup, Jimmy Howard to start again for Red Wings in Edmonton

By Ansar Khan

March 17, 2010, 3:54PM

KELOWNA, British Columbia -- After a day off, the Detroit Red Wings returned to the practice ice Wednesday, as several thousand fans watched at the 6,800-seat Prospera Place.

Coach Mike Babcock said defenseman Jonathan Ericsson, a healthy scratch the last three games, will return to action Friday in Edmonton, replacing Brett Lebda. Jimmy Howard, as expected, will make his 16th consecutive start in goal. Babcock said he hadn't decided if Chris Osgood will play Saturday in Vancouver.

The lines remained the same, as the Wings will look to equal a season-high four-game winning streak against an Oilers team with the worst record in the NHL:

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom

Cleary-Zetterberg-Filppula

Bertuzzi-Miller-Williams

Draper-Helm-Eaves

Lidstrom-Rafalski

Kronwall-Stuart

Ericsson-Lilja

Lebda-Meech (scratches)

Howard (starting)

Osgood

Ericsson turnover machine :/

[Esquire 324]

Do.Not.Want.

[MCleveland89 122]

It feels weird saying I'd prefer lebda, but I'm glad he's been doing good lately.

[Zetts 236]

I'm glad that Howard is starting because I'm going to the game, and want a nice, lopsided Wings victory. And there's no way Osgood would be particularly good given how long it's been since he's played.

On the other hand, it sucks that Osgood isn't playing because realistically, if he doesn't play now, I think we can say he's probably not going to for the rest of the season.

[Rivalred 630]

Ericsson

[Guest mindfly]

HAHAAH poor runner but still kinda hardcore

[wingsfaninMA 3]

Ericsson

wait what? rofl

lets see how big rig does. hes had a rough season, but it cant hurt giving him a go to try get his confidence back. especially against edm.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

This is the most important part of the season and we're bringing that 6'4 broomstick back?

I hope it's only for this next game.

[Mikeal 60]

He needs to get some games in. If we play a physical team (assuming we make the playoffs) we will want him in the lineup.

[kylee 727]

how many times does ericsson get to fail before he's benched for the rest of the year so, if the wings make it to the playoffs, he's not a major defensive liability?

[Guest mindfly]

Ericsson has scored like many of his goals against edmonton and the two latest games at their arena he scored and had a good game maybe babcock checked his history and decided to go with him after that

[cjm502 165]

I hope he does well. How he played in the playoffs last year is irreplaceable. As I have said before, when Ericsson was paired up with Lids he was the one that looked like the Norris candidate on that line. That potential is why we are not giving up on him.

[Wingnut in WA 86]

I am a big fan if Ericsson, but I was at the games this past week at the joe and I remember turning to my gf and saying " This team just looks better with Lebda in the lineup right now". If it aint broke don't fix it

Edited March 17, 2010 by Wingnut in WA

[hooon 1,089]

Glad to see Ericsson in, he needs to get it together by playoff time. I really wish Babs would play Osgood against Edmonton, I can't think of a better game to do it.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

I'm a big Ericsson fan and am glad Babs is putting back out there. He needs the ice time and the confidence. Again, he's a converted offensenman turned defenseman. He's going to need the time. He also needs to be paired with better defensemen. I do like him paired with Lilja.

[Barrie 900]

Ericsson

I guess when you're running a race there's no time take a crap!

So I guess with Howard starting against Edmonton, Ozzie may get the start in Vancouver? I'm ok with that.

[Original-Six 254]

I guess when you're running a race there's no time take a crap!

Thats dedication

Edited March 17, 2010 by Original-Six

[clutchngrab 12]

I'd rather see Osgood face Edmonton. Canucks will light him up.

[Barrie 900]

I'd rather see Osgood face Edmonton. Canucks will light him up.

Yea but it's almost a guarantee Howard beats Edmonton!

[Copenhagen848 58]

That's cool...the Wings are on a winning streak without him in the lineup.....so they put him back in. Makes perfect sense...

[VM1138 1,921]

I just hope the Wings keep playing well. This year nothing can be taken for granted, but their schedule certainly LOOKS favorable. Let's just hope they beat Edmonton.

[anthonyn66 89]

why play Osgood against Vancouver....

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Ericsson

Yeah, if we ignore his play in the last 3 games he played you're on the button.

Were you one of the people who whined about Quincey. Well it'd likely be the same damn thing with Ericsson except E was a highly regarded prospect before entering the NHL and Q was considered a run of the mill type of guy.

By all means piss away the best defensive prospect the Wings have in the pro ranks. But it's good that guys with actual decision making power have the intelligence and understanding of defensive prospect development not to make such asinine remarks.

The only reason Ericsson will be playing is because Babcock expects Lebda to hung-over from tonight

Could be that Lebda has zero upside and all Ericsson has is upside. Who knows. Christ, if the guys here ran the NHL Jack Johnson would already be run out of the league.

I hope he does well. How he played in the playoffs last year is irreplaceable. As I have said before, when Ericsson was paired up with Lids he was the one that looked like the Norris candidate on that line. That potential is why we are not giving up on him.

Don't forget how well he played as a call-up in 07-08 and 08-09. Ericsson's struggled this season, yeah, but he's excelled literally every other year he's been in the Wings system. Only a retard would walk away from a 6'4 defenseman who's had that kind of success based on his play in his rookie season. Newsflash-- 95% of the d-men in the NHL struggled in their first season. That's the norm.

[clayjoh 3]

The only reason Ericsson will be playing is because Babcock expects Lebda to hung-over from tonight

Could we possibly throw that turd Bertuzzi under the truck too ? Mr Turnover is best left in some kelowna watering hole too

I say let Erickson play forward and keep Lebda on the line with Lilja

Bertuzzi is the Uber Turd

Not trying to hyjack the thread by the way

[brett 1,029]

That's cool...the Wings are on a winning streak without him in the lineup.....so they put him back in. Makes perfect sense...

if it aint broke dont fix it. idk if we lose im blaming it on ericsson!