Mrazek sits and waits

If they indeed serve those who sit and wait, then Petr Mrazek can expect to be served a heaping helping when his time comes. The Detroit Red Wings backup goalie continues to exactly that. He was slated to sit and watch Jimmy Howard play again Thursday as the Wings opened a four-game Canadian road trip in Ottawa against the Senators. Mrazek, who began last season as Detroit’s go-to goaltender, last drew a starting assignment six games ago, a 4-3 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals at Little Caesars Arena. Thirteen games into the season, he has made three starts and four appearances, posting a 1-2-1 slate with a 3.24 goals-against average and .901 save percentage. Mrazek likes to play in Ottawa, where he played junior hockey for the OHL 67’s but this is Detroit’s second trip to Canada’s capital city and both times, Howard got the nod in net. “Jimmy’s playing well,… Mrazek said. “It is what it is. I’m just trying to stay sharp and wait for the call. “You have to be ready as a goalie, so you try to work hard every day and put in extra work, so when I get the call I will be ready.… For Detroit coach Jeff Blashill, his is a balancing act of wanting to stay with the hot hand - Howard is 5-4 with a 2.57 GAA and .927 save percentage - and not wanting Mrazek to grow rusty while he also gaining cobwebs from sitting on the bench. “You don’t want to let guys sit too long when you know you’re going to need them at some point but Jimmy is playing at a high level,… Blashill said. “We’ve got back to back coming up (Sunday at Edmonton and Monday at Vancouver). It will be an easy chance to get Pete in there.… Blashill has no qualms with Mrazek’s performance when he’s been between the pipes. It’s simply that Howard is playing lights out right now. “Petr’s played well, I don’t even know if the stats reflect how well Petr’s played,… Blashill said. “He’s been in a couple tough games.… Game Time Decision Center Frans Nielsen missed Thursday’s morning skate due to an undisclosed injury, and his status for the game against the Senators remained uncertain. “Nielsen will be a game-time decision,… Blashill said. “I don’t foresee it long-term. I think he’ll play but we’re just taking some precaution this morning.… Booth Clears For the second time this season, left-winger David Booth cleared NHL waivers. He will remain with the team for the time being but could be sent to AHL Grand Rapids to make room for a defenseman if the Wings suffer another injury on their back end prior to Danny DeKeyser’s return from a sprained ankle. Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer