Lilja back in for Blue Jackets tilt

by Casey Richey on Apr 7, 2010 11:36 AM CDT in News

Looks like Andreas Lilja will be back in the line-up for tonight's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Lilja sat out Sunday's game against the Flyers as a healthy scratch.

Lilja's been a pleasant surprise for the Wings this season. For a while it seemed as if he might not even play another game in the NHL but a turn for the better stopped his headaches and he was cleared by team doctor's to play. In the 17 games he has played since March 1, he has scored a goal and added an assist while evening out in the +/- column.

Lilja's averaging about 14 minutes of ice time per game and his shot blocking has helped the penalty kill greatly. He's been on the ice for only one power play goal against in the 31 minutes he's spent out there. In effect, that's about 14.5 minor penalties he has been on the ice for that have been killed off. His shot blocking has averaged out at about 1 per game and he's dishing out about 2 hits per game as well. Not bad for a guy that missed a year of NHL action.

Other line-up notes:

Dan Cleary will stay with Darren Helm and Patrick Eaves on the third line. Helm and Cleary both scored in Sunday's loss at Philadelphia. I like this change because it adds more scoring touch (Cleary) to a pair (Helm, Eaves) that are a speed threat. They can stretch the defense with their speed and hopefully capitalize on poor positioning. It also brings a little bit of chemistry and balance with Kris Draper going to the line of Drew Miller and Jason Williams.

Jimmy Howard will start in net tonight after taking a game off for in Philadelphia. Howard has carried the Red Wings in net and will be gearing up for the playoff push.

Full lines, via Khan, after the jump.

Franzen-Datsyuk-Holmstrom
Filppula-Zetterberg-Bertuzzi
Cleary-Helm-Eaves
Draper-Miller-Williams

Lidstrom-Rafalski
Kronwall-Stuart
Ericsson-Lilja

Howard

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Comments

I gotta say...Lilja - a HUGE help and solid force...I was wrong

I’ve never been a Lilja fan – I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to the TV while watching the Wings – “cmon Lilly, skate!” – but since he has come back, the D look so much better all around. I never would have said, oh Lilja, he’s a minute eater, but he’s just so damn solid back there – even E or Ledba look good playing alongside him.

Wow – I’m really surprised at what a difference he’s made.

by Kendal on Apr 7, 2010 11:58 AM CDT reply actions

Boy, your words to the TV were much cleaner than the ones I threw at it whenever I’d see Lilja near the puck.

But I agree with you. He’s come back solid. Makes me wonder if his head was screwed up before and getting his ass kicked snapped something back into position.

by Robocop on Apr 7, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Lilja was actually better last year too. I think his gaffes were so bad that they were hard to forget, but the old Lilja went away after they won the Cup. He was very solid last year.

by dewman8810 on Apr 7, 2010 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions