The Red Wings have played pretty well lately -- 5-1-2 in their last eight -- and got some good news on Wednesday, as veteran netminder Jimmy Howard was activated off injured reserve.
Howard has been out since Nov. 25 with a groin injury, suffered early in a game against the Devils. He’s missed the last six games as a result, but will -- per NHL.com -- take part in Thursday’s practice and presumably be ready to dress in time for Friday’s game against the Blue Jackets.
Howard was playing very well prior to getting hurt, posting a 1.82 GAA and .940 save percentage in 12 appearances, 11 of those being starts.
His return means it’s back to AHL Grand Rapids for Jared Coreau, who was recalled a couple weeks ago and made his NHL debut against the Penguins last Saturday, stopping 32 shots in a 5-3 loss. That game was the only one in the last eight in which Detroit failed to secure at least a point.
A big reason for that run was the play of Petr Mrazek. With Howard out, the Czech ‘tender has performed admirably, especially over his last five games -- Mrazek has stopped 147 of 158 shots for a .930 save percentage, posting a record of 3-0-2.