Down 2-0 in their series against Tampa Bay, the Detroit Red Wings needed a spark. Coach Jeff Blashill decided to shake up his lineup by swapping goaltenders. In came Petr Mrazek, out went Jimmy Howard.
It was a risky move because Mrazek played poorly during the final stretch of the season, while Howard’s strong play got the Wings into the playoffs. But the head coach got it right. Mrazek stopped 16 shots, as the Red Wings won the game 2-0. The victory cuts the Lightning’s series lead to 2-1.
The Red Wings came out of the gate strong in Game 3, but they failed to take the lead in the first period despite having three power plays (including a 5-on-3).
Detroit finally got on the board at the 12:42 mark of the second period, when Andreas Athanasiou scored his first playoff goal.
The Red Wings doubled their lead when Henrik Zetterberg found the back of the net. The goal was reviewed twice, but eventually it did stand.
Most Playoff Goals- Red Wings History
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 18, 2016
Steve Yzerman 70
Gordie Howe 67
Henrik Zetterberg 57
Detroit shut the door the rest of the way.
Mrazek wasn’t overly busy, but he was solid when called upon.
Petr Mrazek's 16 saves are the fewest in a shutout by a #RedWings goalie in the playoffs since Curtis Joseph made 15 on Apr. 17, 2004 vs NSH
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) April 18, 2016
Many coaches have changed goaltenders mid-series. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. In 2006, the Carolina Hurricanes were in a similar situation. Down 2-0 in their first round series against Montreal, Peter Laviolette decided to go with Cam Ward instead of Martin Gerber. The move paid dividends, as Ward led the ‘Canes to their first Stanley Cup. That’s not to say the Wings will win it all, but stranger things have happened.
These two teams definitely don’t like each other. After the game, tempers boiled over again, and it resulted in Brian Boyle calling Justin Abdelkader a chicken.
Brian Boyle wasn’t thrilled Justin Abdelkader wouldn’t fight him pic.twitter.com/Xh3VejWXL3
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 18, 2016
Game 4 goes Tuesday night in Detroit.