Jimmy Howard Disappointed About Not Getting Start In Thursday's Playoff Game
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
CBS DETROIT - Asked to characterize what it means for the Detroit Red Wings to make the playoffs yet again, star forward Henrik Zetterberg kept his explanation simple: This is what everyone plays for all year long - a shot, no matter how remote, at winning the Stanley Cup.
After another late-season push to get into the postseason, the Red Wings will have their shot, but for at least the first game, veteran goaltender Jimmy Howard will be watching from the bench.
Head coach Mike Babcock announced Monday that 23-year-old Petr Mrazek will start Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Howard did not hang around the locker room long on Monday, but he spoke with reporters Tuesday about his de facto demotion at the most critical time of the year.
Howard acknowledged he is disappointed he will not get the start.
"That's probably a given," Howard said as he packed his bag for Tampa. "Probably a given."
Howard, who has been the number one goaltender for Detroit since the 2009-2010 season, would not say whether he found Babcock's choice surprising.
"It's his decision," Howard said. "He's the coach. He makes the decisions around here."
Babcock said Monday he had goaltending coach Jim Bedard deliver the news to Howard and Mrazek. Howard said he has yet to speak directly with Babcock about the selection of Mrazek. He did not say whether he needed to hear from the coach or whether he expected to.
"It's up to him," Howard said. "He's probably got a lot on his plate right now, and for me it's just about focusing and just being ready if called upon.
"It's going to motivate anyone," Howard added. "Obviously you want to be out there competing with the guys, but it's his decision."
While he obviously wants to start, Howard spoke highly of Mrazek, who had said Monday that he had not talked to Howard about replacing him as the starter but expected he would at some point.
"Petr's fine," Howard said. "Petr's going to play great for us. There's definitely no concern there."
Howard would not speculate what Babcock's decision to go with Mrazek for the first game of the playoffs means for his future in Detroit.
"I'm not thinking about that right now," Howard said.
