Petr Mrazek, not Jimmy Howard, will start Game 1 of the playoffs for the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday in Tampa Bay.
Coach Mike Babcock confirmed it today, giving the nod in goal to Mrazek, a 23-year-old with no playoff experience, over Howard, a veteran with 45 postseason starts to his name, not to mention a pretty big contract.
Howard struggled after returning from an injury in February. He finished the season with a .910 save percentage, compared to Mrazek’s .918 mark.
But while Mrazek posted two shutouts in his last six starts, the decision to start such an inexperienced netminder against a dangerous Lightning squad, the NHL’s top offensive team, is a gamble for Babcock.
Then again, it may have been a bigger gamble to start Howard, who was given ample opportunity to prove he was still the best option, only to fall short of doing so.
Requested to speak to Jimmy Howard. Wings PR said he'd already left.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) April 13, 2015