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Detroit Red Wings Clips
March 28, 2015
Detroit Red Wings
PAGE 2
Wings' Howard calls woes a 'minor hiccup'; Sheahan out
PAGE 3
Wings' Petr Mrazek: I'm still the backup
PAGE 5
Wings seek to regain net fortunes
PAGE 7
Lightning offer no respite for struggling Wings
PAGE 9
As Red Wings' Jimmy Howard tries to regain form, Petr Mrazek has
chance to seize starting job
PAGE 11
Red Wings' Riley Sheahan (upper-body injury) out Saturday; Pavel
Datsyuk's status remains uncertain
PAGE 12
Detroit Red Wings playoff tickets go on sale today, see where to buy yours
PAGE 13
Red Wings players not putting blame on goaltenders for recent struggles
PAGE 15
Howard pinpoints his problem between pipes
PAGE 17
Babcock hands the reins to Mrazek -- for now
Wings' Howard calls woes a 'minor hiccup'; Sheahan out
By George Sipple, Detroit Free Press 2:38 p.m. EDT March 27, 2015
Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard has surrendered eight goals on 32 shots over
his past two games. He spoke with the media after today's practice at Joe Louis Arena
and said his problem simply is a matter of needing to follow the puck better.
He said he's not bothered by an injury nor debate about who should be the No. 1
goaltender going forward.
"It's not mechanical at all," Howard said. "Well, I guess in a sense of a way, it is,
because with your eyes following the puck, it's key.
"You get big bodies in front. You gotta focus on the puck and you can't lose sight of it.
You know, pucks are going to go in in the NHL. We all know that. It's about brushing it
off and making that next save for the guys."
Coach Mike Babcock said after Thursday's 6-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks that Petr
Mrazek will start when the Wings host the Tampa Bay Lightning at 2 p.m. Saturday
(FSD).
Forward Riley Sheahan didn't practice today and will miss the game with an upper-body
injury. Pavel Datsyuk, who has missed the past five games with a lower-body injury,
practiced and will be a game-time decision. Fellow forward Erik Cole (upper body) didn't
practice and is not expected to play.
Mrazek said Howard remains the Wings' No. 1 goaltender.
"He's proven himself for so many years," Mrazek said. "It's how it is with goalies.
Sometimes when nothing hits you, everything is going in. You have to just battle and
come back."
Mrazek didn't want to talk about who is No. 1: "I think that's, for sure, Howie."
Howard called his recent performance a "minor hiccup along the way" and said it was a
blessing that it is happening now, before the playoffs. He said he has gone over video
with goaltending coach Jim Bedard.
"It's just following the puck with my eyes; I think it's just that simple," Howard said. "You
know, with a goalie, if you're not following the puck to the best of your abilities, if you're
behind that split-second, it can mean the difference."
Howard said he needs to do the right things in practice and then do the same in games.
Babcock said everyone needs to better.
"We've chased both games from start to finish," Babcock said of a 5-4 overtime loss to
the Arizona Coyotes on Tuesday and the Sharks game. "It's easy in life to blame
everyone else. When you're the coach, you have to look at yourself. When you're a
goalie, you have to look at yourself. When you're a (defenseman), you have to look at
yourself, or a forward. Bottom line is you gotta trust one another. You gotta do your part.
We gotta do our part better."
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Wings' Petr Mrazek: I'm still the backup
Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 2:14 p.m. EDT March 27, 2015
Detroit — In Petr Mrazek's mind, there's no doubt: Jimmy Howard is the No. 1 goalie
and Mrazek is backing Howard up.
But there's no doubt Mrazek embraces the challenge of starting Saturday against
Tampa Bay, as Howard sits after two bad games.
"I know Howie is the No. 1, he's proven himself for so many years," said Mrazek, who
might have an opportunity to swipe the starting job heading into the playoffs with only
nine games left in the regular season. "This year, he's been great. Sometimes nothing
hits you and everything goes in. It's (who is the starter) nothing we should talk about.
"Howie is No. 1 and it should be Howie."
When asked if he'd be comfortable with Mrazek going into the playoffs, Mike Babcock
sounded like a coach who wants someone to take control of the goaltending position.,
"I like winning," Babocck said. "That's it. It's real simple. Everybody in the NHL knows
the best guys get to play and if you're playing the best you get to play. Our players know
that starting each game. It's no differnet.
"Anytime you're struggling as a player, it's your job to work extra hard. When you get an
opportunity, you have to seize your opportunity. It's no different for Petr Mrazek. He gets
an opportunity, he has to seize it."
As for facing the Lightning, who trail the Canadiens by one point for the Atlantic Division
lead and defeated Mrazek and the Red Wings, 3-1, on March 20?
"It's a big challenge," Mrazek said. "We've lost two games in a row at home. It's just one
game tomorrow and we have to go game by game and see what happens."
Howard went over video with goaltending coach Jim Bedard and believes he's had
issues following the puck.
Howard feels this is a "hiccup" that will be fixed and it's a challenge he's looking forward
to.
"It's no different than anyone else in the NHL," Howard said. "Every person goes
through something like this during the course of a season. I'm just glad it's happening
now rather than two or three weeks from now."
Injuries grow
Already without Pavel Datsyuk (lower body) and Erik Cole (upper body), the Red Wings
have lost Riley Sheahan (upper body), it appears, for at least the next two games.
Sheahan didn't practice Friday.
"He got bumped (in the San Jose loss Thursday)," Babcock said. "He's out. I don't' know
for how long. He's out with an upper body.
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"Obviously it's an opportunity for someone else. There's no sense talking about guys
who aren't here. Let's talk about the guys who are here."
Datsyuk increased his work load in practice from earlier in the week, but Babcock said,
"I don't know" whether Datsyuk will play against the Lightning.
Cole didn't practice and will not play these next two games.
Detroit News LOADED: 03.28.2015
4
Wings seek to regain net fortunes
Gregg Krupa, The Detroit News 9:39 p.m. EDT March 27, 2015
Detroit — The three goaltenders were later than usual returning to the dressing room.
In the wake of allowing 11 goals to the Coyotes and Sharks, they had some extra work
to do.
Peeling off his gear, Jimmy Howard sat down in the stool in front of his dressing stall,
looked up at the substantial array of media assembled before him and, in his habitual
good-natured way, said, “I guess you guys probably want to talk to me.”
At the adjacent stall, Petr Mrazek said he intends to improve his occasionally spotty
play, starting today against the Lightning. But Howard remains the top goaltender,
Mrazek said, despite Mike Babcock saying it is now critical for the Red Wings “to get
Petr Mrazek going.”
A goaltender controversy usually occurs when a backup presses the regular so hard,
the position is at stake.
The Red Wings could use a good goaltender controversy just about now. At least they
would be getting better goaltending.
As it is, if either Howard or Mrazek would assert himself, while Jonas Gustavsson
continues to recover from his latest injury, it would help stabilize a stumbling team.
It is less about a controversy than the desire to get their season back on track.
And the goaltenders are far from the only problem.
“We keep talking about the same things, over and over,” defenseman Niklas Kronwall
said.
“I think if we had a simple answer to it, we would have stopped doing it a long time ago.
“We’ve just got to make sure that we’re ready. When the puck’s dropped, we have to be
better than we have been.
“That’s on me. That’s on the rest of us, in here.”
But some big saves would help, too.
When goaltenders do well, they often say they are “seeing the puck.”
Howard says he is not.
“After going over the videotape and talking to goalie coach Jim Bedard, it’s just, you
know, following the puck with my eyes,” Howard said.
“It’s just that simple.
“I think, with a goalie, if you’re not following the puck to the best of your abilities, you’re
not going to defend in that split second. It’s going to make a big difference.”
5
Does any of the talk around town about who is No. 1 and No. 1 bother him?
“That doesn’t enter my mind, at all,” Howard said, his expression revealing some
distaste at any thought it might. “Not at all.”
Of his approach, now, Howard said, “Just sticking with it, and working hard. That’s the
only thing that will keep you around in this league, and moving forward.
“You know, it’s just a minor hiccup, here, along the way.
“It’s just a little blessing in disguise that it’s happening right now and not two or three
weeks from now.”
As they discarded practice gear, Howard and Mrazek shared some private
conversation. Any sense there is any tension between the men seemed remote, and
likely to fall to the strong Red Wings tradition of established goaltenders helping the
younger ones.
What Mike Vernon did for Chris Osgood, Osgood did for Howard. And, now, it is
Howard, 31, and Mrazek, 23.
“You know, it’s a big challenge,” Mrazek said. “We lost two games in a row at home, so
going to the third game and starting as goalie is nice.
“But it’s just one game, and we’ve got to go game by game and see what happens.”
What about the debate around town concerning who should start?
“I don’t think about it,” he said. “I know Howie is still likely No. 1, I’m sure. He’s proven
himself so often for so many years.
“And I think this year, he was great.
“It’s just how it is with goalies. Sometimes, when nothing hits you and everything’s going
in, you just have to follow-up and come back. That’s how it is.
“I don’t think we should be talking about who is No. 1 goalie. I think that’s, for sure,
Howie.
“And it’s nice to see how he handles the pressure,” Mrazek said. “I know that’s going to
help me, a lot.”
Babcock wields precise comments tailored to set the agenda and avoid distractions.
Asked if he would be “comfortable” starting Mrazek in the playoffs, Babcock volleyed
deftly.
“I like winning,” he said. “That’s it.
“So, it’s real simple: Everyone knows in the National Hockey League that the best guys
play, and if you’re playing the best, you get to play.
“We’ve got to be way better in the net. We’ve got to be better in back. We’ve got to be
better up front.
“But, you know, the puck’s in our net all the time.”
Detroit News LOADED: 03.28.2015
6
Lightning offer no respite for struggling Wings
Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News 6:27 p.m. EDT March 27, 2015
Detroit — With the talk of goaltending, turnovers and losing, it’s easy to forget the Red
Wings actually play Saturday.
Against a really good opponent.
The Lightning is 3-0 against the Red Wings, and are nine points ahead in the race for
second place in the Atlantic Division.
“They’re a real fast team and for whatever reason, we haven’t found our stride against
them,” Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “A new challenge.”
It’s a challenge that’s likely not going to be easy.
The Lightning is on a 7-2-1 run, but coming off a 3-2 loss Thursday to the Predators.
While the Red Wings are simply fighting to keep their place in the playoffs, the Lightning
is aiming to pass the Canadians and win the division.
“Good forwards, good defense, a real good goaltender (Ben Bishop), it’s hard to score
goals against them,” Red Wings forward Darren Helm said. “It’s a good opportunity for
us. A potential first-round matchup, we want to make sure and compete and play hard
and get back on track.
“These next two games (today and Sunday on the road against the Islanders) are a
stepping—stone for us to get into playoff mode. This is a good opportunity for us.”
While the concerns about goaltending have been well-documented, coach Mike
Babcock also has stressed the need to reduce turnovers.
“We talked about the fact we have to be way better in net, we have to be better on the
back end, we have to be better up front,” Babcock said. “It’s easy in life to blame
everyone else. When you’re the coach you have to look at yourself. When you’re a
goalie, you have to look at yourself, when you’re a D-man you have to look at yourself,
or a forward.
“The bottom line is you have to trust one another, everyone has got to do their part. We
have to do our part better.”
Injury update
The good news is the Red Wings could center Pavel Datsyuk (lower body) back on the
ice this weekend.
The bad news — forward Erik Cole (upper body) is out, and center Riley Sheahan
(upper body) joined him on the bench.
“He got bumped (in the loss to the Sharks),” Babcock said. “He’s out. I don’t know for
how long.
7
“Obviously (Sheahan) brings a lot, but it’s an opportunity for someone else. There’s no
sense talking about guys who aren’t here. Let’s talk about the guys who are here.”
Datsyuk, who has missed the last five games, increased his workload, but Babcock
said, “I don’t know” when asked if the center will play today. Cole didn’t practice Friday.
Detroit News LOADED: 03.28.2015
8
As Red Wings' Jimmy Howard tries to regain form, Petr Mrazek has chance to
seize starting job
Ansar Khan | on March 27, 2015 at 5:05 PM, updated March 27, 2015 at 5:25 PM
DETROIT - Jimmy Howard feels fine physically and said his confidence isn't shaken, but
he hasn't been the same since returning from a groin injury.
Whatever the reason, Howard needs to rediscover his pre-injury form over the final two
weeks of the season to be the Detroit Red Wings' No. 1 goaltender in the playoffs.
Howard will watch Saturday when the Red Wings, with Petr Mrazek in net, face the
Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena (2 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).
Howard has allowed eight goals on 32 shots the past two games and was pulled after
the first period of Thursday's 6-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks.
He said tracking the puck is the main issue.
"After going over the video tape and talking to goalie coach Jim Bedard it's just following
the puck with my eyes," Howard said. "It's just that simple. With a goalie if you're not
following the puck to the best of your abilities and you're behind, that split-second can
make a difference."
Howard called this "a minor hiccup," but he hasn't been consistent the past six weeks,
after being out a month. He is 5-5-3, with a 3.14 goals-against average and .893 save
percentage. Before the injury, he was 15-7-7, with a 2.11 GAA and .920 save
percentage.
Red Wings' Jimmy Howard says he needs to follow the puck better in order to break out
of slump Goaltender said his confidence isn't shaken, he's just experiencing a minor
hiccup.
"It's just about working hard on the ice, continue to do the right things in practice and
then it'll just fall into place in games," Howard said. "When you're out there waiting for
things to happen that's when the puck's going to do crazy things.
"Following the puck, that's key. Especially when you get big bodies in front of you you've
got to focus on the puck. You can't lose sight of the puck. Pucks are going to go in. We
all know that. It's about brushing it off and trying to make that next save for the guys."
He added, "Everyone goes through this during the course of a season. A little blessing
in disguise that it's happening now and not 2-3 weeks from now."
Saturday's game is a potential first-round playoff matchup. There was little doubt at the
start of the month that the Red Wings would reach the playoffs for the 24th consecutive
season. But a 3-7-1 stretch has enabled Ottawa and Boston to close to within five
points.
If Howard doesn't improve, the Red Wings might stick with Mrazek, despite his
inexperience.
9
"Everybody in the National Hockey League knows that the best guys get to play and if
you're playing the best you get to play," coach Mike Babcock said. "Anytime you're
struggling as a player it's your job to work extra hard when you get your opportunity.
"It's no different for Pete Mrazek. He gets an opportunity. He's got to seize it. We just
watch and they decide who plays. Everyone thinks the coach decides. All the coach
does is observe, and then the guys who play the best get to play."
Petr Mrazek embraces challenge of helping Red Wings snap out of slump against
explosive Lightning Young goaltender will step in for struggling Jimmy Howard against a
team Red Wings might face in the playoffs.
Mrazek believes he's just keeping Howard's seat warm.
"I know Howie is still No. 1, I'm sure," Mrazek said. "He's proven himself for so many
years. This year he's been great. Sometimes it's hard for goalies when nothing hits you
and everything goes in. You come back.
"It's nice to see how he handles the pressure. I can learn from him a lot."
Howard didn't look comfortable during his 20 minutes on Thursday but he doesn't think
watching a game or two will help.
"I want to be out there every single night, just like everyone else when you get to this
level," Howard said. "One of the things that drives you is competing, it never sits well
when I'm sitting on the bench. Coach feels I don't deserve it.
"When you're not playing well you're going to be benched. You can sit there and have
the 'poor me' about it or you can get out there and get back to work and help your
team."
Teammates said they can help the goalies by taking care of the puck.
"Fix that and we don't get as much pressure on (the goalie)," defenseman Kyle Quincey
said.
Said Niklas Kronwall: "You win as a team and you lose as a team. We didn't do a very
good job of helping out (Thursday), and neither did we against Arizona (Tuesday)."
Michigan Live LOADED: 03.28.2015
10
Red Wings' Riley Sheahan (upper-body injury) out Saturday; Pavel Datsyuk's
status remains uncertain
Ansar Khan | on March 27, 2015 at 1:40 PM, updated March 27, 2015 at 2:15 PM
DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings will be without center Riley Sheahan for Saturday's
game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Joe Louis Arena (2 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit),
and they're not sure if Pavel Datsyuk is ready to return.
Coach Mike Babcock said Sheahan suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 6-4
loss to the San Jose Sharks. General manager Ken Holland said Sheahan is day-today.
This will be the first game Sheahan has missed this season. He has 12 goals and 22
assists in 73 games.
"Obviously he brings a lot, but someone else gets an opportunity," Babcock said.
Datsyuk (lower-body injury) appeared to be skating well in practice Friday. He took part
in all line rushes with Tomas Tatar and Darren Helm and practiced on one of the powerplay units. His status, apparently, will be determined before the game.
Forward Erik Cole (upper-body injury) did not practice Friday and is expected to miss at
least the next two games.
The Red Wings are 3-7-1 in their past 11 games and have allowed 11 goals in back-toback losses to non-playoff teams Arizona (5-4 overtime) and San Jose (6-4).
They talked before practice Friday about increasing their urgency and focus at all
positions.
"Well, we all got to be better," Babcock said. "We talked about the fact that we got to be
way better in net. We got to be better on the back. We got to be better up front. But the
puck's in our net all the time. We've scored eight goals in the last two games and we've
chased both games from start to finish.
"It's easy in life to blame everyone else. When you're the coach you have to look at
yourself. When you're a goalie you have to look at yourself, and when you're a D-man
you have to look at yourself, or a forward. The bottom line is you got to trust one
another, you all got to do your part. We got to do our part better."
Michigan Live LOADED: 03.28.2015
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Detroit Red Wings playoff tickets go on sale today, see where to buy yours
Brendan Savage | on March 27, 2015 at 8:08 AM, updated March 27, 2015 at 8:10 AM
DETROIT - Tickets for potential Detroit Red Wings home playoff games go on sale at
10 a.m. today.
They'll be available at the Joe Louis Arena box office (313-471-7575), all TicketMaster
outlets (800-745-3000), TicketMaster.com and DetroitRedWings.com.
They will also be available at StubHub.com.
Tickets range in price from $24 to $210 on TicketMaster.com before fees.
Fans can purchase tickets to the first two games that will be held at Joe Louis Arena
should the Red Wings qualify for the playoffs in their final nine regular-season games.
That appears to be a formality at this point.
The Red Wings are seeking their 24th consecutive playoff berth. They own the longest
active playoff streak in the four major North American professional sports.
The next-best streak is 17 seasons by five-time NBA champion San Antonio followed by
six years for the NFL's Green Bay Pack and New England Patriots and four years for
the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball.
Michigan Live LOADED: 03.28.2015
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Red Wings players not putting blame on goaltenders for recent struggles
Michael Niziolek
on March 27, 2015 at 7:59 AM, updated March 27, 2015 at 10:12 AM
DETROIT -- The phrase "can't outscore your mistakes" continues to ring in the ears of
Detroit Red Wings players.
During a March slump, the Red Wings have lost eight of their last 11 games, and given
up 41 goals.
While coach Mike Babcock focused on the team's goaltending situation in his postgame
remarks -- "the outcome is we can't keep it out of our net, until we get that fixed, nothing
else (matters)" -- following a 6-4 loss to the San Jose Sharks, his team offered a slightly
different take.
"We are not helping our goalies," the Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg said, plainly.
"We are not boxing out in front of (them), not having sticks tipping pucks. This is not on
Howie and Petr, this is on all the guys."
Giveaways in the opening minute of the first, and third periods led straight to San Jose
goals.
The Red Wings had 12 giveaways in total with Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar each
turning it over four times. It was the team's second straight game with double-digit
turnovers.
"We are doing this to ourselves," Zetterberg said. "We are giving the other team too
many chances, too many odd-man rushes and we can't do that."
Babcock wasn't as bothered by the turnovers since the Red Wings spent the majority of
their last two games playing from behind.
"What catch up hockey leads to is turnovers cause you are trying to make the perfect
play all the time," Babcock said. "You think every shift is an emergency instead of just
taking what is given."
Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser said it wouldn't be one player that turns the
team's fortunate around.
"I think the 'D' has to be better, getting back the pucks," DeKeyser said. "The forwards
have to be better helping out, and the goalies need to be better too. As a whole, we
need to improve our play, the whole team."
Detroit's recent struggles have helped Ottawa and Boston remain in the playoff picture.
Both teams lost Thursday, but are only five points back of the Red Wings in the Atlantic
Division standings with nine games left to play. Ottawa was 17 points back at the start
of March.
"We know the situation we are in, know where we are in the standings, but we are used
to this," Zetterberg said. "The last two or three years we have been playing ourselves
13
into the postseason. We have a lot of pressure on us at the end of the year. It's nothing
new, we have to embrace that."
Michigan Live LOADED: 03.28.2015
14
Howard pinpoints his problem between pipes
By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily
Posted: 03/27/15, 4:53 PM EDT |
DETROIT >> Jimmy Howard has pinpointed the problem he’s had of late between the
pipes.
“After going over the video tape and talking to goalie coach Jim Bedard it’s just following
the puck with my eyes,” Howard said after practice Friday at Joe Louis Arena. “It’s just
that simple. With a goalie, if you’re not following the puck to the best of your abilities and
you’re behind that split second it can make a difference.”
And because of it Howard has lost his starting job for now to Petr Mrazek.
“Everyone goes through this during the course of a season,” Howard said. “Maybe it’s a
little blessing in disguise that it’s happening now and not 2-3 weeks from now.
“It’s just about working hard out on the ice,” Howard continued. “Continue to do the right
things in practice and then it’ll just fall right into place in the games. When you’re out
there, waiting for things to happen that’s when the puck’s going to do crazy things. You
just have to go out there and play. For me the last couple of games, following the puck
and using my eyes more, that’s been the issue.”
Howard has allowed eight goals on 32 shots in slightly over four periods the past two
games.
“It’s not mechanically at all, but I guess in a sense it is,” Howard said. “It’s following the
puck. That’s key. Especially when you get big bodies in front of you, you’ve got to focus
on the puck. You can’t lose sight of the puck. Pucks are going to go in in the NHL. We
all know that. It’s about brushing it off and trying to make that next save for the guys.”
After Thursday’s 6-4 loss to San Jose, Wings coach Mike Babcock handed the starting
job to Mrazek.
“I want to be out there every single night, just like everyone else when you get to this
level,” Howard said. “One of the things that drives you is competing. It never sits well
when I’m sitting on the bench. I want to be out there every single night. Coach feels I
don’t deserve it. Maybe it’ll be a good thing to just put in a little bit of work here.”
Howard brushed off the talk about who’s the team’s number one goalie, but Mrazek did
not.
“I know Howie is still number one I’m sure,” said Mrazek, who’ll start Saturday when the
Wings host Tampa Bay. “He’s proven himself for so many years. This year he’s been
great. Sometimes it’s hard for goalies when nothing hits you and everything goes in.
You come back. I don’t think we should talk about the No. 1 goalie. I think that’s for sure
it’s Howie.”
Howard allowed three goals on 10 shots in the first period Thursday and was replaced
by Mrazek to start the second.
15
“I don’t think it’s a confidence issue at all,” Howard said. “I think it really is the minor
thing of following the puck and not losing sight of it out there. That can make up for a
split second. When you lose the puck out there you, you’re behind the play for a second
and that can be the difference.”
Howard, who turned 31 on Thursday, has been very inconsistent since returning in midFebruary from a groin injury after beginning the season red hot.
“It’s not all on him,” Darren Helm said. “We’re giving up too many chances. The good
thing about Jimmy is he’s going to come and play well; now it’s just a matter of time.
Right now he’s going through a little stretch like the whole team is going through it. We
have to find a way to battle hard through it and get ourselves back on track.”
Detroit is 3-7-1 in its past 11 games.
“I like winning,” Babcock said when asked if he’s comfortable heading into the playoffs
with Mrazek as his number one goalie. “That’s it. Everybody in the National Hockey
League knows that the best guys get to play and if you’re playing the best you get to
play. Our players start each game knowing that.
“Anytime you’re struggling as a player it’s your job to work extra hard when you get your
opportunity it’s to seize your opportunity,” Babcock continued. “So it’s no different for
Pete Mrazek. He gets an opportunity. He’s got to seize it. We just watch and they
decide who plays, not us. Everyone thinks the coach decides. All the coach does is
observe.”
The Wings will be without center Riley Sheahan “for a bit” according to Babcock due to
an upper-body injury.
“Obviously he brings a lot, but someone else gets an opportunity,” Babcock said. “I
made a policy over the last few years, there’s no sense in talking about the guys who
aren’t here. We’ll talk about the guys who are.”
Sheahan had played every game this season, totaling 12 goals, 22 assists and a minus2 rating.
Pavel Datsyuk took part on line drills at practice, centering a line with Darren Helm and
Tomas Tatar on wing.
Babcock wasn’t sure if Datsyuk will play Saturday. He’s missed the last five games with
a lower-body injury.
Erik Cole also didn’t practice. He missed Tuesday’s game with an upper-body injury.
Macomb Daily LOADED: 03.28.2015
16
Babcock hands the reins to Mrazek -- for now
KEITH GAVE
MAR 27, 2015 2:56p ET
DETROIT -- The rest of the hockey world can debate who deserves status as the Red
Wings' No. 1 goaltender. But to coach Mike Babcock, it's not an open argument.
"I like winning," he said after Friday's practice. "That's it. It's real simple. Everybody in
the National Hockey League knows the best guys get to play. If you're playing the best,
you get to play.
"Our players start each game knowing that ... Everybody thinks it's the coach who
decides. All the coach does is observe. They decide who plays, not us."
From his observation post behind the Detroit bench lately, Babcock has observed
enough to conclude his team desperately needs a change in goal.
Jimmy Howard, an All-Star the first half of the season, suddenly can't stop a beach ball.
Backup Jonas Gustavsson is recovering from yet another injury.
So rookie Petr Mrazek is taking over, for now, as the Wings' go-to guy. He'll keep the
job as long as his next poor outing -- when a complicated situation has the potential to
turn into a real crisis, at the worst of times.
Mrazek is a 23-year-old rookie who's excited to get the start in Saturday's matinee
game against a tough divisional rival in Tampa Bay, but he also understands the
situation. He cautioned reporters not to get carried away by recasting the order of the
Detroit goalies.
"I don't think about No. 1 and No. 2," Mrazek said. "I know Howie is still the No. 1 guy
here. There's no question about that. He's proven himself for so many years, and he's a
mentally strong guy."
Howard played himself out of the job by allowing two goals on the first four shots he
faced and three total in the first period of Thursday night's 6-4 loss to the struggling San
Jose Sharks -- a perfectly lousy way to celebrate his 31st birthday.
That Howard got the start after giving up five goals in an overtime loss to hapless
Arizona was something of a surprise to some, though Babcock rightly concluded that his
goalie had earned the benefit of the doubt because of his sterling play before he
strained a groin muscle on Jan. 10.
"He's our starting goalie until he's not our starting goalie," Babcock said before
Thursday's game, explaining his decision to give Howard a chance at redemption.
Then, ust 19 seconds into that start, the Wings found themselves behind 1-0, and
Babcock's reaction was palpable. And after two more goals before the period ended -each of which Howard would have rejected on even an average night -- he was
benched in favour of Mrazek.
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After spending nearly two hours on the ice Friday, Howard lumbered into the dressing
room sweating and smiling. And when he saw a crowd of reporters nervously circling his
changing area, he smiled wider, saying, "I imagine you guys want to talk with me?"
He then responded to questions with rapid-fire answers:
What about the debate raging on sports-talk radio about who's No. 1 and who's No. 2
among goalies: "It doesn't enter my mind at all. Not at all."
How's your health? Any lingering effects from the groin injury that kept you out a month,
or anything else: "The groin's not bothering me. Nothing's bothering me."
How do you feel about getting benched? "I want to be out there every single night, just
like everyone else. It never sets well when I'm sitting. But the coach right now feels like I
don't deserve it, so maybe it'll be a good thing just to put in a little bit more work here (in
practice.)"
Can you pinpoint what's been going wrong for you lately? "After going over the
videotape and talking with our goalie coach, Jim Bedard, I think it's just a matter of
following the puck with my eyes. It's just that simple ... Just a minor hiccup along the
way. With a goalie, if you're not following the puck to the best of your abilities, you're
behind that split second and it can be a big difference."
What about the future? "I'm no different than everyone else in the NHL. Every person
goes through this in the course of the season. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise that it's
happening right now –- and not two or three weeks from now."
Howard has had some strong performances since returning from his injury, but he's
battled inconsistency. He's 5-6-2, with pedestrian goals-against and save-percentage
numbers.
After watching him give up three goals on a measly four scoring chances in the first
period, Babcock announced he was giving Mrazek -- by far the people's choice -- a
chance when Tampa Bay visits to close out a forgettable four-game home-stand.
Since an auspicious performance immediately after Howard was injured -- Mrazek was
8-2 in 11 games that followed -- the rookie's play has been spotty, too. In fact, he gave
up two critical goals in the third period Thursday, when the Wings were desperately
playing catch up. And Babcock didn't like the second one, which eluded Mrazek under
his right armpit and found the net for what stood as the winning goal.
"They can't chicken-wing him like that," Babcock said. "That can't happen ... Pete
Mrazek has to get himself ready to go. We'll give him an opportunity here and get that
area fixed.
"It's amazing what can happen when you get a little confidence in that area. It will all
settle down and we'll get to playing better."
Hockey can be like that. When the goaltenders catch a cold, the rest of the team
catches pneumonia, suddenly threatening a promising season. The Wings were going
so well, in fact, that even Babcock was entertaining thoughts of successful postseason
run.
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"I said it before, this is our best chance, in my opinion, since '09," he said. "That hasn't
changed since I said it two weeks ago -- but we have. We haven't done anything.
"Life's simple for me: When the opportunity is good, the preparation has to be good.
And yesterday, when they score, what, 19 seconds into the game? You're not ready to
play hockey. That's ridiculous."
His players couldn't agree more.
"We can see what's going on," defenseman Kyle Quincey said. "Playoffs or no playoffs,
if we keep doing this, it doesn't matter."
Complicating the goaltender situation even more is the eventual return of backup Jonas
Gustavsson, who has been out since suffering a head injury at Boston on March 8. He's
been skating this week, calling the workouts "a big step forward." He's hoping to return
before the season ends.
ICE CHIPS
Center Riley Sheahan is day to day with an upper-body injury. Babcock had no updates
on Pavel Datsyuk (lower body injury) or Erik Cole (upper body injury). Datsyuk said he
was hoping to play this weekend.
--- After Saturday's game against the Lightening, the Wings travel to New York for a 5
p.m. face-off against the Islanders.
foxsports.com LOADED: 03.28.2015
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