Osgood to start, Lilja and Franzen update

by Casey Richey on Jan 27, 2010 2:30 PM CST in News

Chris Osgood will get the start in net tonight against Minnesota. Jimmy Howard, who has carried the team most of the year, let in five goals last night against the Coyotes. However, I'd argue that probably only one of those was one that he really had a chance at stopping (the second Yandle goal that made it 4-3 Detroit). It will be interesting to see how Ozzie does considering his drastically diminished playing time. Osgood needs to be on tonight against the Wild as the Wings try to shake off that nasty loss last night.

Johan Franzen was told by doctors that his knee is fine and he can start playing whenever he feels capable. Franzen expects another two weeks before he is ready to go, putting him back right before the Olympic Break. In my opinion, keep him off the ice until after the Olympics. Extra rest and practice could go a long way towards being ready for the marathon of games following the break.

Andreas Lilja has gone 14 days without headaches and plans to meet with team doctors and the front office to decide where to go next on the path to recovery from his concussion.

Ansar Khan also reported that Derek Meech is in for Brett Lebda tonight and will play with Brad Stuart on the second pairing while Niklas Kronwall joins Jonathan Ericsson on the third pairing. The forwards will all stay the same.

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can't wait for the mule !

whats the status on williams?

by GOLDIGGAH on Jan 27, 2010 2:38 PM CST reply actions

From Khan! I think?

Jason Williams (fractured fibula on Nov. 7) said he is ready and can play Friday, as long he gets the OK. . .

by 42jeff on Jan 27, 2010 3:23 PM CST up reply actions

I think Kronwall and Ericsson paired tonight is a good idea. So is keeping Franzen out till after the Olympics, though I don’t see it happening.
Williams is ready go Friday vs. Nashville.

by crperreau on Jan 27, 2010 2:43 PM CST reply actions

Williams IN means

Leino ANNNNNNNND Brad May OUT.

SCORE!

by Michael Petrella on Jan 27, 2010 3:45 PM CST up reply actions

Epic win?

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Jan 27, 2010 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

We need an epic something

…besides fail that is.

by Brobz on Jan 27, 2010 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

i am going to the batting cages tonight

last time i didn’t watch a red wing game because i was out was the last time they won…maybe the same will happen tonight

TULO = 2010 MVP!

LETS GO WINGS!

by TuLoRocks2008 on Jan 27, 2010 3:28 PM CST reply actions

Ozzie

Well, I guess this is Ozzie’s chance to prove himself against a team that isn’t a powerhouse offensive unit. I hope he does well, I really do. However, if he doesn’t, he really needs to stop talking trash. Seriously.

by DarkKnt1047 on Jan 27, 2010 3:36 PM CST reply actions

Before/after: what matter?

Franzen, because of his injury, was not selected for the Olympics. Even if he doesn’t play at 100%, he’s still much more useful than a lot of other players, and if he returns shortly before the Olympics, he has a couple of advantages: he knows what he needs to work on from real play as opposed to practice (and has the break to work on it); and he has time to recover from any minor injury he picks up while breaking more franchise records—hat tricks in a single month, say.

by bleep bloop on Jan 27, 2010 3:38 PM CST reply actions

Osgood

This is a very important start for Ozzie. If he can show he can be the number one goalie, it will help the Wings get to the playoffs and move into the deeper rounds. Howard may be at the point of hitting the wall and Qzzie needs to be the goalie he was the last few years in the playoffs. The Wings need to stop squandering leads late in games or, we will not get to the playoffs. You can’t fully blame Howard for these breakdowns, but a goalie sometimes needs to stop the puck in important game situations.

by maksohockey on Jan 27, 2010 4:04 PM CST reply actions

If Howard and Osgood should have learned anything this season it is that they need to stand on their heads in the first half of the first period while the team tries to figure out what to do with the puck and in the third period while the team tries to figure out what to do with the puck.

You can blame the team for not playing more than half the game, but you can also blame the goaltender for not being able to figure out when the defense is taking a nap, especially when it is the same time every game.

by bleep bloop on Jan 27, 2010 4:17 PM CST up reply actions

I hope Ozzy plays well

But even if he does I still think Howard gives us a better chance night in and night out. I hope Ozzy plays well because I suspect Babs will go with him in the playoffs (assuming we are there). And we need him to play well when he plays.

Nonetheless, Howard is the way of the future, and if we have to commit to this being a “rebuilding” year then it makes more sense to get him some playoff experience in a year where his gaffs would be less exaggerated than in a year where we’ve been dominant.

Yes, Howard didn’t have a superb game last night. But Howard has been the guy to save our asses a number of times already, and the fact of the matter is you can’t ask him to do that every night, especially when the team simply collapses and decides to hang him out to dry. Squandering two goal leads has been a colossal team effort/failure.

I hope it stops tonight.

by Brobz on Jan 27, 2010 4:42 PM CST up reply actions

The last couple of years, the goaltending was always considered to be Detroit’s only weakness. Now it seems goaltending is their only strength, Jimmy Howard that is. What has changed???? I don’t think injuries can be used as an excuse anymore. They have enough talent in the lineup to not give up 2 goal leads every game.

One thing I have to say is, it would be nice to see the Wings get more than 2 PP’s per game. It’s getting kind of annoying seeing this. They have the danglers to make it happen and draw more penalties.

by dewman8810 on Jan 27, 2010 4:35 PM CST reply actions

Defense has played horribly (for whatever reason) and a lot of the forwards are half-assing it to be honest

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on Jan 27, 2010 4:43 PM CST up reply actions

Well, it's not a Tuesday and I don't have night class.

Last week’s loss to Washington I left my night class with the Wings leading and they lost. Last night, I left my night class with the Wings leading, and again they collapsed and lost.

I really need to drop this class. Education comes and goes, but the Red Wings last forever.

by eight_legged_freaks on Jan 27, 2010 5:29 PM CST reply actions