Petr Mrazek doesn’t know what his long-term future with the Detroit Red Wings might be.
“Nothing yet,… Mrazek said on if he’d been given any word as to whether he’ll be returned to Grand Rapids of the AHL. “I don’t talk to anyone about it, so that’s not a question for me.…
Mrazek, 8-1 since he replaced the injured Howard, will get the start in goal Wednesday as the Wings face the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that’s all he’s concerned about for now.
“It is a surprise,… Mrazek said. “To play in Pittsburgh is going to be a fun game.
“It’s nice to play next game and get the chance, so I think it’s going to be a good game against Pittsburgh and I’m real excited about that. Every game is fun but they have great players. If (Sidney) Crosby is in the lineup it’s going to be a lot of fun.…
Jimmy Howard, who will back up Mrazek on Wednesday, is back from a groin injury and expected to start Saturday at Joe Louis Arena against the Winnipeg Jets. What that means for Mrazek’s future beyond Wednesday is anyone’s guess.
Detroit is currently carrying three healthy goalies. Jonas Gustavsson will be a healthy scratch Wednesday.
“I’m just worried about Wednesday’s game, I don’t think about anything else,… Mrazek said. “What happens, happens and you can’t do anything with that.…
In the meantime, he plans to make the most of his NHL opportunity.
“It’s nice to be around these guys here and practice with them, so I’m happy I’m here,… Mrazek said.
Good To Go Detroit coach Mike Babcock confirmed Tuesday that Howard had received all the required medical clearance and would definitely suit up Wednesday.
“We’re going to clear him, we’re going to back him up in Pittsburgh, so he’s around the game, and he’ll be ready to go Saturday,… Babcock said. “He’ll play Saturday, but until we saw him today … it’s great to say ‘I’m cleared’ but it’s another thing to be ready to play.
“He should be ready to go.…
Babcock understands that Howard is chomping at the bit to get back to stopping pucks for real, but Howard also understands why Mrazek is getting the nod Wednesday.
“That’s sport, right? “ Babcock said. “Howie’s been around a long time, he expects when he’s got the hot hand that he’s going every night and it’s no different for anyone else.
“Petr’s played well for us and we appreciate what he’s done for us. Howie’s our No. 1 goaltender, we all know that. I’m not really concerned about that.
“I thought he was excellent in practice today and that’s a positive sign.…
Triple Zero All three of the netminders on the Red Wings’ current roster have posted a shutout this season, just the fourth time that’s happened in franchise history.
“It’s great,… Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “All three of them have played great for us this year.
“I know that both Howie and Monster (Gustavsson) have been out with injuries but beforehand they played great. And Mrazek has really proven what he can do over this last stretch when Howie went down. So we know we’ve got something really great going in net.…
Before this season it most recently a shutout trio had happened was in 2003-04 (Manny Legace 3, Dominik Hasek 2, Curtis Joseph 2). It also occurred in 1995-96 (Chris Osgood 5, Mike Vernon 3, Kevin Hodson 1) and 1993-94 (Osgood 2, Tim Cheveldae 1, Bob Essensa 1).
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