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As if things weren’t going south enough for the Detroit Red Wings, now they’ve lost their No. 1 goalie.
The Wings, who’ve lost two in a row, will go into Thursday’s vital game at Columbus against the Blue Jackets minus Petr Mrazek, who is ill an unable to play.
He’ll be the third Wing recently to lose time due to illness, following forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Darren Helm.
“I found out this morning,” Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “Jimmy (Howard) will start tonight.”
Jared Coreau was recalled from AHL Grand Rapids to back up Howard and there’s no telling at this point how long that assignment will last.
“I have no idea in terms of the illness,” Blashill said. “I don’t know. All I know is he’s ill right now.
“I think we’ll take it day by day.”
As for other possible lineup changes, Blashill indicated that those decisions wouldn’t be made until after the warm up.
Emergency Goalie
Minus Mrazek, the Wings needed a second goalie for Thursday’s morning skate.
Enter Bailey Seagraves.
“I woke up to a call from my goalie coach I work with,” explained Seagraves, 19, from Hilliard, Ohio, who posted a 5.52 goals-against average and .869 save percentage with the Springfield Pics of the U.S. Premier Hockey League this season. “He gave me a call and said they needed a guy. So I was running getting ready and came down here as quick as I could.
“You can’t pass up an opportunity like this. It’s pretty amazing.”
Admitting to being a fan of Detroit goalies Howard and Mrazek, Seagraves wasn’t shy about acknowledging he was a little star struck as he suited up in the visitor’s dressing room with the rest of the Red Wings.
“When I first got here, some of the guys came up and said hi, the coaching staff and stuff,” Seagraves said. “It was pretty incredible. They’re such down to Earth guys.
“They made it real easy for me to come in and have a lot of fun.”
He also noted quickly the step up in competition once he took to the ice.
“Oh yeah, it’s a whole other level,” Seagraves said. “The releases. You’ve got to be real sharp out there. They can all trick you, hold it, reach out and put it in the net. I see why they all play in the NHL.
“It’s pretty amazing. It’s an incredible experience, a lot of fun.”
Mantha Impressions
One game into his NHL career, the Wings liked what they saw from left-winger Anthony Mantha.
“I thought Anthony did a good job,” Blashill said. “My biggest thing with him is if he wins physical battles and stick battles he’s going to be a really good player. And I thought he won physical battles and stick battles.
“Now this is a relentless league so you’ve got to come back out tonight and do it again and then again and again and again. But I thought he did a real good job against Philly.”
Kronwall Skates
Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall was back on the ice for the first time since injuring his knee in Saturday’s win over the New York Rangers.
“It felt pretty good,” Kronwall said. “Hopefully it’s getting there. It was another good day. Hopefully another good one tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”
The Wings haven’t ruled out getting Kronwall back in time for Saturday’s game at Florida against the Panthers.
“I thought he skated good today,” Blashill said. “He won’t play tonight but I thought he skated good today. We’ll continue to evaluate but it’s day by day.
“I know he’s really pushing to get back as soon as possible. He’s a heck of a warrior so we’ll see.”
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