Generally, rolling with rookies in the Stanley Cup playoffs is not advisable, but after a month of stumbling, the Detroit Red Wings intend to shake things up by including three rookies in their lineup for Thursday’s playoff opener at Tampa Bay against the Lightning.
Petr Mrazek won a duel with veteran Jimmy Howard to start in goal, while defenseman Alexey Marchenko and forward Landon Ferarro, both just called up last week from AHL Grand Rapids, have also won their way into the lineup.
Ferraro’s head was still spinning about the dramatic turnaround in his fortunes that led to his opportunity to make his Stanley Cup debut.
“It’s big,… Ferraro said. “To be honest, I kind of gave up on being called up this year. The guys had been so healthy throughout the year the priority kind of shifted to making sure we were playing well in Grand Rapids going into the playoffs.
“Honestly, I was a little shocked. Honestly, I thought I was just playing one game and before you know it I was in Montreal and then Carolina and now I’m in Tampa.
“You get that call and you kind of go from kind of giving up on it this year to really being focused and making sure you start well. Then getting into the playoffs, now I want to make sure I carry it over from the last couple of games.
“So I mean you’ve just got to make sure you’re playing well and not giving them any easy choices.…
Mrazek’s playoff savvy is well known among the younger Wings. Many were with Grand Rapids when Mrazek backstopped Detroit’s AHL farm club to the Calder Cup title in 2013.
“He’s developed a lot over the years,… Detroit right-winger Gustav Nyquist said. “First of all, he’s a great guy, great person, fun to be around. It was nice to see him get up here and get a chance and obviously he did real well.
“For the last 2-3 seasons he’s really taken steps. He’s a great goalie. I’m happy for him.…
While Mrazek was taking those steps, Howard stumbled. In his first 32 games, Howard posted a 2.11 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage. After suffering a groin injury in January, he struggled to regain that form. In 21 games after returning from the injury, Howard posted a 2.99 GAA and .896 save percentage. Howard acknowledged his disappointment at not getting the call as Detroit’s starting playoff goalie for the first time since 2009, but was the first to pump Mrazek’s tires.
“Petr’s going to be fine,… Howard said. “Petr’s going to play great for us.
“There’s definitely no concern there.…
Ferraro also won a Calder Cup with Grand Rapids and thinks that will help him adjust to any Stanley Cup nerves.
“I know it’s the minors but it’s still playoff hockey,… Ferraro said. “Obviously it’s going to be a little different. Everyone is getting their game up. But it’s just another game.
“You’ve got to do your part. You can’t get overwhelmed. You have to keep it simple, use my speed and take some shots.…
Marchenko is the least experienced of the three. This will be his inaugural playoff experience in North America.
“We’ll see how it goes,… Marchenko said. “It’s going to be (my) first time. I’m going to try to do my best and try to help the team to win every game.…
Niklas Kronwall, longest-serving defenseman among Detroit’s sextet, figures Marchenko will do just fine.
“I think he’s ready,… Kronwall said. “I don’t think he needs to be taught. He knows it’s going to get even more competitive, more tighter and you have to be strong in front of your net.
“All those things. Marchie is going to fit right into that. He’s a big strong man, he’s strong on the puck, he keeps it simple and he makes the right decisions.
“I don’t think he’ll have a problem whatsoever.…
Forward Teemu Pulkkinen is the fourth rookie on the Detroit roster, but he isn’t slated to play in Game 1.
“It’s going to be fun, fun to be part of the team,… Pulkkinen said. “I’m not going to play the first game but I’m here and I’m ready to play and I’m going to support the guys and stay positive and wait for my chance.…
Captain Henrik Zetterberg doesn’t imagine he’ll sit any of the youngsters down for a heart to heart prior to the series opener.
“It’s tough to explain how it is and what it is,… Zetterberg said of the playoffs. “You have to almost experience it.
“My first time was awesome, stepping on the ice at the Joe, just the different feel from a playoff game compared to a regular season game and having that for the first time is a special moment.…
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