Petr Mrazek will get one last chance to prove to Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock that he should get the nod as the team’s playoff goalie.
Mrazek gets the start Saturday as the Wings, who clinched a playoff spot in the last game, will play on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes to close out the NHL regular season.
Naturally, Babcock downplayed that element of the equation prior to the game.
“I never thought much about it,… Babcock claimed. “We’ve got a game today and we’re going to do everything we can to get a win and Pete’s starting.…
Babcock did go on to once again reiterate his unhappiness with the team’s goaltending situation over the last month of the season.
“It hasn’t been as sharp,… Babcock said the netminding of Mrazek and veteran Jimmy Howard. “The puck’s gone in our net lots here of late and yet I think our team’s played very hard.
“The bottom line is you’re coming to a time of year when that’s even more important than ever. We all know that. Howie and Mrazek know that as well. I don’t think there’s any surprises there.…
Howard allowed two soft goals that ended up costing the Wings a 4-3 overtime loss at Montreal in their last game. He admitted he’d like to have the fourth one, the game-winner by Lars Eller, back, but didn’t want to dwell on it.
“We still got a point, still got into the playoffs,… Howard said. “That’s the way I look at it.
“I’m still taking the positive out of it.…
Babcock was in favour of his goalies following that approach going forward into the post-season.
“You don’t talk about bounceback games, you don’t talk about the bad goals,… Babcock said. “You talk about how many saves the guy makes.
“That’s all part of the business. It’s a hard, hard position. You need mental toughness to keep playing, to believe in yourself, to find your game, to have your dips be short.
“We all go through cycles. You’ve got to keep them as short as you possibly can. Obviously, the more talent you have and the harder headed you are and the more passion you have and the more you work on your craft the shorter the down times are.…
Howard couldn’t hide his disappointment at being on the bench instead of between the pipes for the last game before the playoffs get underway.
“You want to play every game,… Howard said. “But it’s his (Babcock’s) decision and I had a good day to work (with goalie coach) Jimmy (Bedard) and that’s all that matters.…
Howard, who has been Detroit’s Game 1 starter in every playoff year since 2010, still expects to get the call in Game 1 when the playoffs get underway next week.
“I expect it but he (Babcock) makes the decisions,… Howard said. “Whoever he goes with you’ve got to live with.
“I do expect (to be the starter).…
While excited, Mrazek wasn’t looking to ignite a goaltending controversy on the eve of the playoffs.
“I’m happy today, really excited for tonight,… Mrazek said. “Howie’s the guy but you want to show you’re in the playoff mode.
“You have to be ready and you never know.…
Shuffling The Deck Several Red Wings will get the night off in Game 82, including captain Henrik Zetterberg, center Pavel Datsyuk and defenseman Niklas Kronwall.
Defenseman Brendan Smith, whose delay of game penalty for touching a puck that was in play from the bench led to a five-on-three resulting in Montreal’s tying goal in Thursday’s loss, will also get a night on the sideline.
Smith was uncertain whether it was a night to rest or a day of punishment.
“I haven’t talked to him (Babcock) about it so I don’t know,… Smth said. “I’m not sure. So I have no idea. I haven’t talked to him about it and I guess I’ll just wait until we have a conversation.
“I’m not sure. Maybe.…
Smith insisted that he thought the puck was out of play when he batted it back to the ice.
“It’s a weird play, weird call,… Smith said. “It’s confusing when a lot of sticks touch the puck or hands that are over the boards.
“I’m not sure. I felt that it was in line with the bench. I’m not sure if it was coming in or not. It was just reaction. I tried to catch it, but I didn’t. Then I kind of batted it. It’s just flukey how that happened, but that’s the game of hockey.…
Alexey Marchenko, recalled from AHL Grand Rapids and Jakub Kindl will slide in on the defense, while Tomas Jurco and Daniel Cleary get forward spots.
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