Jimmy Howard's Strong Start Promising for Detroit Red Wings Early in 2014-15

The Detroit Red Wings dropped Wednesday's game vs. the Boston Bruins 3-2 in a shootout, but the scoreline doesn't adequately describe what was an amazing contest between two rivals. The Bruins looked to avenge a loss against the Red Wings on opening night, but Jimmy Howard didn't make it easy.

The Ogdensburg, New York, athlete was busy all night long, stopping 37 of 39 shots, and he kept the Wings in a position to earn a point. Wednesday night's performance was another great effort for the 30-year-old netminder, and his strong start is promising for the Red Wings early on in 2014-15.

Last season, Howard appeared in only 51 games and posted a record of 21-19-11. His save percentage and goals-against average was abysmal, which was uncharacteristic of him. He was clearly off his game; shots that he would usually stop were just finding a way into the net.

It wasn't a case of Howard just forgetting how to play hockey, but rather a situation in which injuries and a depleted conditioning level prevented him from bringing his A-game.

Here are a couple of tweets from NHL analyst Billy Jaffe and Kevin Woodley, a goalie guru who writes for NHL.com:

Thus far it has been clear to these gentlemen, and a few others, that Howard is back to his normal self. His most recent performance against the Bruins proves that. Throughout the game, Howard was under constant siege, but he remained cool under fire.

Howard is a goaltender known for his solid lateral movement, and he displayed his flexibility during the team's shootout loss against Boston. Although Howard was also on the long side against the Anaheim Ducks, it was a game whose ending doesn't adequately reflect Howard's performance.

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The game was tied at two goals apiece when a controversial non-call led to Ryan Getzlaf taking control of the puck and moseying his way to the net mouth for an easy goal. Prior to that, Howard had stopped 23 of 25 shots, making it another contest in which his athleticism was on full display.

In many ways, Howard's play during the October 11 loss against the Ducks was a carryover from a win against the Bruins in Detroit's season opener. Howard didn't face as many shots in the season opener as he did against the Ducks, but the shots he faced tested his flexibility, positioning and composure.  

The Red Wings' season may only be three games old, but there's reason to be pleased with Howard's start despite the 1-1-1 record. He has showed consistency in each game to date, his overall numbers, which include a 1.95 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage, are good and he's been healthy.

There are many critics who wouldn't be surprised if the Red Wings' playoff streak ended this season, but with Howard providing quality goaltending between the pipes, it will be hard to count Detroit out.

Like I said, the season is still young, but from an "eyeballs" perspective, Howard has been good, and there's reason to believe he will provide Detroit the netminding it needs to be a playoff team.

Stats via NHL.com unless noted.