It what could certainly be classed as a surprise, Petr Mrazek will get the start in goal Tuesday at Joe Louis Arena as the Detroit Red Wings play host to the Ottawa Senators.
While it might have seemed logical to anticipate a return to the net of Jimmy Howard, who spelled Mrazek after the latter gave up four goals on 11 shots in Sunday’s 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders, Detroit coach Mike Babcock opted to stay with his original plan of giving Mrazek a few games in a row to see if he can carry the load for the team.
“Howie had a tough one (in a 5-4 loss to Arizona) and I went right back with him (in a 6-3 loss to San Jose),… Babcock explained. “Pete’s done a good job for us. He didn’t do a good job the other night against the Islanders, so I’m giving him the same opportunity.
With just seven games left until the playoffs and huge home-ice meetings this week against the Senators and Boston Bruins (Thursday), Detroit’s closest pursuers in the standings, the Wings need one of their netminders to step up and make the job his.
“Obviously, one of these guys has to grab it,… Babcock said. “We’re in the winning business. This is a huge game for us tonight.
“It’s exciting to have the opportunity and we’re giving Pete the opportunity.…
Mrazek and Howard were informed of the plan Monday evening.
“It’s great to have the opportunity and the chance to bounce back right after Sunday,… Mrazek said. “It’s just two days after to have a chance.
“It’s a huge opportunity. I can’t wait for tonight.…
Howard took the news in stride. “It’s his decision,… Howard said of Babcock. “He feels that Petr going tonight is the right thing. I can only control myself, Babs makes the decisions around here. For me it’s just going out there and working hard with (goalie coach) Jim (Bedard) and be ready for when I get another chance to start.…
“When my number is called I’ll be ready.…
Howard was slated to go to the NHL All-Star Game when he injured his groin just a short time prior to the contest and since he’s come back from the injury has struggled to find consistent form. He chalked up his latest struggles to poor tracking of the puck, but feels the problem is in the process of being rectified.
“It’s like a hitter in a zone up at the plate, he sees it right away,… Howard said. “It’s very similar in that aspect where you just want to concentrate and focus where that puck is at all times because the way this game is played now, it’s so fast and every team has got great players, I think that’s imperative for a goalie.
“It’s just a minor road block. The only thing I can control is myself and that’s coming in here and putting in the hard work. I have a positive attitude and support of the guys.…
While admitting that they don’t put much thought into who is in net on a nightly basis, the Detroit players feel they should shoulder some of the blame for the team’s defensive issues of late, which has seen the Wings surrender five or more goals in three of their last four games.
“Whoever plays, we’re confident in all three of our goalies that we have here,… left-winger Justin Abdelakder said. “Obviously we’ve got to do a good job in front of those guys.
“Those guys – from the media, from everyone – they’ve taken a lot of the heat, but at the same time, we’ve got to do a better job in front of them, boxing out, clearing second pucks, clearing rebounds.
“It’s a total team effort. We’re scoring goals but we’re giving up way too many. We’ve got to find that even balance.…
Lineup Change Center Riley Sheahan will return after missing two games with an upper-body injury.
The lines in Tuesday’s game-day skate looked like this:
Abdelkader-Henrik Zetterberg-Gustav Nyquist Tomas Tatar-Pavel Datsyuk-Darren Helm Teemu Pulkkinen-Sheahan-Tomas Jurco Drew Miller-Luke Glendening-Joakim Andersson.
Defense pairings remain the same as last game. Forwards Erik Cole (upper-body) and Johan Franzen (concussion) and goalie Jonas Gustavsson (concussion) are out. Forwards Daniel Cleary and Stephen Weiss and defenseman Jakub Kindl are healthy scratches.
Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer