It might be time for the Detroit Red Wings to stop playing musical goalies.
For the second straight start, Jimmy Howard didn’t finish as the Wings fell 4-1 Tuesday to the Jets at Winnipeg.
“What do you think I think?… Howard said, assessing his performance. “It wasn’t good enough for the guys once again. Simple as that.
“It wasn’t good enough and I need to be better.…
While Petr Mrazek, who blocked all 11 shots he faced in relief of Howard, continues his solid play, Howard is enduring a rough stretch. He’s 0-2-3 in his last five decisions and has been pulled in his last two starts, allowing seven goals on 23 shots in 47 minutes to post a dismal .675 save percentage and an appalling 8.93 goals-against average.
“This is first, being pulled in consecutive starts, so it’s unfortunate, but at the same time I’ve got to go out there and do my job better,… Howard said.
Naturally, the players weren’t about to throw Howard under the bus and willingly stepped up to shoulder the blame for Tuesday’s loss.
“We have to help Jimmy out because Jimmy’s been helping us out,… defenseman Brendan Smith said. “He’s been fantastic this year.
“To help our teammates get back to where we want to be we have to play better and whatever that is – making sure we execute with our passes, block an extra shot – I don’t know what that is, but we’re going to figure it out and play a better game and it’s going to help him because he’s helped us so far and we’re a team and that’s how you get to the next level.…
Detroit coach Jeff Blashill insisted there isn’t necessarily an advantage to designating a No. 1 goalie.
“I think every situation is different based on your team, based on your players,… Blashill said. “I’ve been in different situations, I’ve had guys carry the mail a little bit, I’ve had lots of times where we had multiple guys going.
“What I think organizationally and as a team, it’s always better to have great depth at every position and part of that within this team is keeping both those guys going and they’re playing so well.
“There’s a little bit of mental rest when you don’t have to go every night. I’m sure there’s arguments the other way, but the bottom line is we want to get great goaltending. I think we have through the early part of this season, and we have to continue to if we want to be a team that stays up near the top of the standings.…
Regardless, there were subtle indications during this three-game road trip that Blashill is beginning to lean toward Mrazek as his go-to goalie. He played him in back-to-back games to open the trip and Tuesday, threw Howard to the wolves in the second night of consecutive games, the role generally reserved for the back-up goalie.
Howard knows he must get better fast if he wants to continue to earn a regular turn in Detroit’s goalie rotation.
“When you’re number is called you’ve got to go out there and perform,… Howard said. “I’ve just got to find a way to stay sharp, find a way to be out there competing for the guys. It’s unacceptable.
“I’ll just continue working. Nobody’s going to feel sorry for myself. I don’t feel sorry for myself. I’m just going to continue to work hard and I’ll continue to bring a positive attitude to the rink every single day.
“Just work. That’s the only way I know, the only way I’ve been taught my whole life, is just put in the time and effort and good things will happen for you.…
Numbers Game Tuesday’s setback marked the first time in more than a month that the Wings have suffered successive setbacks in regulation time.
The last time it occurred was a Nov. 13 in a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks, followed by a 3-1 defeat the next night at Boston to the Bruins.
The Wings lost two road games in succession for the first time since October. They fell 4-1 Oct. 17 at Montreal and then by a 3-1 count Oct. 21 at Edmonton.
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