Conventional wisdom suggests that Jimmy Howard shouldn’t be in net for the Detroit Red Wings against the Boston Bruins tonight (7 p.m., NBC Sports Network) with a chance to secure the franchise's 25th consecutive trip to the NHL playoffs.
It would be the second time in a week that Howard will have played on back-to-back nights. But it will happen because Howard has transitioned from back-up goalie to the most important player in the organization’s quest to keep its postseason streak alive. Detroit's magic number is two.
A couple of months ago sports talk around Detroit centered on whether the Red Wings could find a way to dump Howard’s $5.291 million (until 2019) cap hit. Today, the buzz is about how Howard has been the team’s savior down the stretch.
It’s ironic that Howard has been so appreciated despite it being one of the worst seasons (2.72 goals-against average, .909 save percentage) of his career. It was clear late last season that Howard, 32, was losing the No. 1 job to Petr Mrazek, who was Detroit’s playoff goalie.
The two entered the season in a competition, but Mrazek, 24, was the favorite. Both goalies, basically splitting time, played well early, and then Howard lost his way. He went from Dec. 4 to Feb. 28 without winning a game. He had one stretch in which he went 0-5-0 with a 4.52 GAA.
The silver lining to a non-existent market for a struggling goalie making that much money: On the way to Howard’s downfall: Mrazek lost his way and Howard received another chance. Suddenly, it was Howard who looked confident.
He has won three consecutive starts, and given up a total of four goals. Howard has given the Red Wings confidence.
Professional sports have evolved to the point that advanced statistical analysis routinely dictates who should play in which game and which athletes are more qualified to start than others. But sometimes, especially when playoffs are on the line, it simply comes down to assessing what a player has done for his team lately.
With pressure at its greatest, Howard has delivered. That’s why he should be in net tonight, even if coaches don’t prefer to play goalies on back-to-back nights.
