To begin, a solid mid-afternoon update courtesy of Booth Newspapers reporter Ansar Khan:
Update from Monday's late afternoon practice: Defenseman Andreas Lilja didn't skate. He has a concussion and a knee injury, after taking a big punch from Nashville's Shea Weber in a fight during Saturday's game. Lilja said it's not serious and that he's day to day. He'll miss at least the next two games
"He knocked me out, I had to admit it,'' Lilja said. "I just remember the first two punches and the rest of it I saw on TV afterward. I realized I probably got a concussion.''
Marian Hossa (stiff neck) is ready to play. Tomas Holmstrom had his first full practice with the team since having hernia surgery on Feb. 11 and said he hopes to return in a week, possibly by Saturday's game against Columbus. Brett Lebda (back spasms) will return to the lineup.
They juggled the lines a little after Saturday's 8-0 debacle in Nashville, but it's not necessarily what they'll start Tuesday's game in St. Louis with:
Holmstrom, obviously, isn't playing Tuesday. Coach Mike Babcock said Aaron Downey will play, so that's where he will skate.
Babcock said Jonathan Ericsson will make his Wings season debut Tuesday but indicated he hadn't settled on his defense pairings, other than to say Ericsson and Lebda are in for Lilja and Derek Meech.
Chris Osgood will start in goal. Babcock said will continue to alternate goalies for the time being.
In addition, Jonathan Ericsson and Aaron Downey were called up from Grand Rapids, Ville Leino and Darren Helm were sent back down. Leino and Helm will return for the playoffs. However, the expectation is that this will give the Wings an opportunity to take a look at Ericsson prior to Tomas Holmstrom and his salary returning to the Wings lineup, possibly as early as Saturday vs. Columbus at home.
The best quote I heard regarding Saturday night's debacle in Nashville came from Wings GM Kenny Holland who apparently suggested to coach Mike Babcock to just throw out the game tape from Saturday night and look ahead to Tuesday night's game in St. Louis.
I realize most Wings fans are disgruntled with the inconsistency defensively and likely looking for a minor move to help out the blueline or goaltending situation, but the likelihood is unless someone comes knocking on Holland's door with a sweetheart deal, the Red Wings are set from a personnel standpoint for their playoff run in 2009.
This isn't similar to prior years where the Red Wings could ship off a draft pick or prospect and take on salary with a high-priced veteran. Any move made will have to ressemble an NBA trade where salaries are essentially matched. I have read the speculation about the Wings showing some mild interest in the Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen, however I cannot fathom Holland making any move for a goaltender at this late juncture in the season.
Detroit Red Wings Blogger • 
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