OGT: Detroit Red Wings @ Columbus Blue Jackets

[SportsFromA2]

7:30PM, NBCSN(Versus).


**** OHIO.


Ericsson & Franzen back:

The Detroit Red Wings' defense is complete again.

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson will return to the lineup tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7:30, NBC Sports Network), after missing 13 games with a chip fracture in his left wrist.

“Timing is probably going to be a little bit off, but I'll try to do what I can.'' Ericsson said. “(A brace) is helping quite a bit, wrist protection I have, keeps it from extending my motion and rotation, so that helps me to prevent getting into those weak spots that maybe I wasn't as strong as before.''

He has been skating for several weeks after getting hit by a puck on Feb. 25.

“(Conditioning) should be good,'' Ericsson said. “It's always different, game-type situations, it's tough to (simulate) those, but conditioning wise and strength-wise I'm as good as I was before I got injured.

“I should be able to come back quickly and be ready for playoffs.''

Goaltending Jimmy Howard, as expected, will not play tonight. Coach Mike Babcock reiterated today that Howard will not start Friday at home against Nashville. He doesn't want Howard's first game back from a strained groin to be against the Predators.

“That (Friday) was the plan all along. but Coach has decided to go in a different direction,'' Howard said. “As a player I got to respect that.

“I hope he changes his mind, but I don't think that will happen.''

So Howard's first game back, in all likelihood, will be Sunday at home against Florida.

“Thought I was pretty good in practice,'' Howard said. “It's getting old just practicing, but it's part of the process. I'm feeling really good, we're going to do some more strengthening stuff today and hopefully it responds well, like it did the first couple of times.''

Johan Franzen returns tonight, after missing four games with back issues. Rookie Gustav Nyquist (goal, six assists in his past seven games) will remain in the lineup. Jan Mursak will be scratched.

Here is the Red Wings' lineup:

Filppula-Zetterberg-Hudler

Franzen-Datsyuk-Bertuzzi

Miller-Abdelkader-Cleary

Nyquist-Emmerton-Holmstrom

Lidstrom-White

Kronwall-Stuart

Quincey-Ericsson

Conklin (starting)

Pearce

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index....sson_re_2.html

[Waxing Gibbous]

Would really, really (really) like to see a quality effort during a road game sometime before they get bounced by Nashville in the playoffs.

Every odd-man rush ends up in the back of the net. Dump.

[TG7782]

They really suck on the road, down 4-1 to the same team they dropped a bomb on just 2 nights ago.

They need home ice in the playoffs in the worst way.

[TG7782]

Would really, really (really) like to see a quality effort during a road game sometime before they get bounced by Nashville in the playoffs.

Every odd-man rush ends up in the back of the net. Dump.

Meanwhile I don't remember the last time they scored a breakaway or 2 on 1.

[The Wacko]

I'll take Hunwick over Ty "Let Me Open My 5 Hole & Freeze" Conklin any day of the week.

[pGekko]

Donut hangover.

[General283]

Pistons on the road > Wings on the road?

[JB61973]

Nyquist didnt even need to suit up. Guy has beenscoring a point a game and then gets demoted to the 4th line. Babcock has lost it.

[TG7782]

I'm really starting to think that Babcock has lost this team, I don't understand why he does his lines like he does sometimes.

Nyquist needs to play with Pavel and the Mule, Bert can be effective on the 3rd line.

This problem will be compounded if/when Helm comes back. If it was me my lines would be:

Z-Fil-Huds
Pav-Nyquist-Mule
Bert-Abs-Miller
Cleary-Homer-Emmerton

And when Helm comes back drop Abs down to center the 4th and let Helm center the 3rd.

If the team is still playing when he comes back at all.

[pGekko]

We still have the donuts during the week record guys. Calm down.

[tommyz]

lol @ Babcock has lost this team....