All the latest from the blue paint …
Amazing Mrazek?
With injuries an issue, it looks like the Detroit Red Wings will give goalie Petr Mrazek back-to-back starts and a great chance to make another impression as they face the lowly Buffalo Sabres.
(Yes, Buffalo deserves “lowly.” One local columnist thinks they’re tanking too hard.)
The Red Wings believe that the 22-year-old could have a real future, but Mrazek may just push things along a little bit if he keeps his current good work up. He’s won three games in a row, including holding the Buffalo Sabres to a single goal on Jan. 13. Going back a little further, he’s won five of six.
Overall, Mrazek is 8-3-1 with a .923 save percentage.
Detroit stands as big favorites here, especially since one seeming disadvantage (playing back-to-back games) is canceled out by the fact that Buffalo played on Saturday as well. The Sabres will probably turn to Jhonas Enroth. Whether it’s Enroth or Michal Neuvirth, they’ll be the underdog against Mrazek and the Red Wings.
Elsewhere ...
Stars at Blackhawks: Kari Lehtonen likely against Corey Crawford
Coyotes at Jets: Mike Smith vs. Ondrej Pavelec