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Howard On Competition With Mrazek: 'I Don't Feel Threatened At All'

By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak

CBS DETROIT - As well as 22-year-old Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek has played recently, many have questioned whether head coach Mike Babcock should give the starting spot back to veteran Jimmy Howard, who was elected an All-Star before he suffered a groin injury Jan. 10.

People outside the organization may wonder if Mrazek, who started the season as the third stringer, should be the new number one, but Howard does not.

"Not going to give it up that easy, that's for sure," Howard said Tuesday as he sat in his locker and Mrazek sat in the next stall. "I've got a lot of confidence in myself; otherwise I wouldn't be here. I believe that I can do the job. That's why I don't feel threatened at all."

Howard originally expected to return for Wednesday's game, but Babcock announced Mrazek will start that game, with Howard backing him up, and then Howard will make his return Saturday.

"If it was a playoff game, I'd definitely be out there, that's for sure," Howard said, "but we thought it would be better if I took the week and just practiced because I really didn't have my own net at all. The last two days I've just taken every shot in practice. It's helped. I feel like I'm almost right back to where I was."

The decision to start Mrazek rather than Howard in the team's next game, however, also has a component of going with the hot hand. The Red Wings have won nine of their last 10 games with Mrazek in net.

"That's sport, right?" Babcock said. "Howie's been around a long time. He expects when he's got the hot hand that he's going every night, and it's no different for anybody else. Petr's played well for us, and we appreciate what he's done for us. Howie's our number one goaltender. We all know that. I'm not really concerned about that. I thought he was excellent in practice here today, and that's a positive sign."

While Howard wants to get back out on the ice as soon as possible, he understands why Babcock will use Mrazek on Wednesday.

"If I was the coach," Howard said, "I'd probably do the same thing."

In 32 games for Detroit this season, Howard has a record of 16-7-7, a goals against average of 2.11 and a save percentage of .920. Mrazek has a record of 13-4-1, a goals against average of 2.42 and a save percentage of .914.

Though having more than one competent goaltender makes for some difficult decisions, Babcock loves the situation.

"It makes it way easier for me because it helps me create accountability," Babcock said Tuesday. "The thing about it is, when you're playing on a team and no one can take your job, it's not quite the same energy level as when someone can take your job. These guys know. All they've got to do is look around; someone wants their job. Every day someone wants their job.

"Actually, someone thinks they should have their job, so I think it's a real healthy thing," Babcock continued. "We haven't had it in this way in a long time, and it's great to have it back."

Not usually excited going into games because he has played so many at this point in his career, Howard grinned at the thought of getting back on the ice Saturday.

"I'm feeling really good," Howard said. "I'm getting excited, focused to get back out there on the ice and just play hockey. That's what I love to do is go out there and compete."

While confident the starting job still belongs to him, Howard appreciates what Mrazek has done in the meantime.

"Fun to watch," Howard said with a smile. "It's exciting. He's all over the place in there. Like I said, he's been doing a tremendous job for us. I'm actually thankful. Otherwise I probably would've had to rush back. Since he's been doing such a great job, it's allowed me to rest up and heal."

Defenseman Niklas Kronwall said Howard, Mrazek and Jonas Gustavsson have all played well for the Red Wings, so he does not envy Babcock having to decide who to put in net each game.

"It's not going to be easy, that's for sure," Kronwall said. "In those situations, you're lucky to be a player and not a coach or a general manager."

 

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