I’m jealous. I haven’t been able to make it to a Wings game yet this season!

Yeah, that Maltby turnover was pretty bad. He’s not quite been himself this season.

In response to your comments on the defensive situation, I’ll post a comment I made over at Able to Yzerman:

Meech has been great, that’s for sure. Still, I have a hard time seeing Lilja get pushed out of the lineup. Lilja’s size, strength, and edge provide something no other Red Wing defenseman offers and that may be enough to keep him in the top six.

His mistakes stand out and are incredibly frustrating, but he’s an important penalty killer and the team could use a stay-at-home defenseman. As many times as he pinches, Chelios hardly counts as one.

I liked Babcock’s characterization of Lilja from last month. Basically, he said that he’s not a puck-carrying defenseman and can’t live up to the expectations of the other guys on the blueline that are. He’s on the wrong end of a lot of plays because of his stay-at-home style in contrast to the rest of the team’s open style. You could view that as a shortcoming, but I think it’s necessary to have a guy thinking “defensive security” more than “offensive opportunity.” That doesn’t mean he’s not without his shortcomings, but it explains some of his problems.

I’d love to see Meech remain in the lineup. He looks like a veteran and provides a nice offensive dimension. You have to question the Wings’ reasoning in keeping him in the role of practice drone for so long. Surely they could have rotated him in more often?

If Meech is in a battle with anyone, it’s Lebda, not Lilja. Brett has not really handled increased ice time very well so his job may be in jeopardy.

As for the penalty leading to the game-tying goal, I did not see the play so I will assume it was just a dumb mistake by Lilja. However, let me take this opportunity to say how stupid that rule is. It’s just idiotic. That should be worth a defensive zone faceoff with the same conditions of an icing: the defending team cannot change. If they want, they can hurry the face-off up. But it should not be a penalty.

The battle between Lebda and Meech, of course, only applies as long as Lidstrom is out. Once Nick returns, there will be three guys fighting for one spot, not two guys.

As for Ericsson, I can’t wait until he’s a regular. He’s going to be a great one.

If I recall correctly, Quincey has a reputation for taking dumb penalties in the AHL as well. Hopefully he can get over that little habit. He could also use a skating coach.

For my own observations, first and foremost, I wish the guys would just shoot the puck. I remember at least six times where a Red Wing would be at the top of the circles and elect to pass instead of shooting.

Some bad turnovers, especially from guys who aren’t known for it, like Maltby. He had a pretty bad one that led to Ozzie having to make a huge save (likely the first on the highlights).

Brett Lebda didn’t have his best game. Made a brutal clearing attempt which led to the Flames’ first goal, and was just making a lot of bad passes. I hope it was just an off night for him.

and my favourite defenceman was at it again. I have to honestly wonder how Lilja still has a job. Who cares if he’s 6′5, he turns the puck over like there’s no tomorrow. And he took an absolutely brutal penalty with 1:40 left. I’m sorry, but if he’s one of the veterans on a young rookie defensive corps, he can’t put the puck over the glass. There is no excuse, especially in the last two minutes.

I’m loving Derek Meech and Jonathan Ericcson more and more with every passing game. Meech looked like a young Lidstrom last night, making perfect poke checks and seemingly able to knock down every pass with his stick. Ericcson did get burned on the second goal, but he made up for it with the PP marker. He just has to take his own advice and get more physical. He throws his weight around a little bit, but I’d like to see him just crushing anyone who decides to go into the Red Wing corners.

Kyle quincey needs to stop cross-checking people. He only got one penalty for it, but he easily could’ve had a half-dozen more. I like that he’s being physical, but he’s gotta be physical within the rules.

With Brad Stuart coming, it looks like Meech is going to get the shaft again, which is a big let down. Personally, I think Babcock should be going with Lidstrom, Rafalski, Kronwall, Chelios, Stuart and Meech as his top 6, with Lebda and Ericcson as the reserves.