Detroit Red Wings Can't Afford to See If Petr Mrazek Was Just a 1-Game Wonder

The Detroit Red Wings leave Tampa with a split, but head coach Mike Babcock’s decision to go back to goaltender Petr Mrazek for Game 3 may create a divide among the fanbase, if not the organization.

Mrazek was the Red Wings’ hero in Game 1 but got the hook in a 5-1 loss in the second game of their opening-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon.

He followed up a 46-save performance that earned the 23-year-old a win in his playoff debut with a 40-minute showing that saw him finish with 14 saves, four goals against and a .778 save percentage.

Jimmy Howard—the team’s undisputed starting goalie before tearing his groin in January—relieved Mrazek to start the third period against a ferocious Lightning squad that played a lot of the game on the Red Wings’ end of the ice.

So while the Lightning got a solid bounce-back performance from fellow playoff rookie Ben Bishop and saw forwards Tyler Johnson and Valtteri Filppula emerge with big two-point performances, the Red Wings head home with a serious debate taking place on whether Babcock is making the right decision in going back to Mrazek.

He told reporters his decision was already made following the game.

Preempting any bigger-picture discussions with general manager Ken Holland, there is clearly little consideration of the potential long-term effects on Howard, the goalie Holland has signed through 2019 at more than $5 million per season.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall in the ensuing talks between coach and GM.

Babcock made the initial decision to start Mrazek in the playoffs over the 31-year-old veteran Howard because he believed the youngster would give them the best chance to win the series.

Howard, the Wings’ playoff backstop for the past five years, is there as a comforting backup plan.

But would you go with that backup plan now or, like Babcock, give the kid another chance?

Howard stopped 11 of 12 shots on Saturday in the final period, with his team taking all kinds of chances while trying to close a four-goal gap. Leaving him on the bench and going with Mrazek risks Howard’s happiness and confidence even further.

If Mrazek looks bad in a Game 3 loss, the Red Wings are down, 2-1, in the series and may have to turn back to the spurned veteran.

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On the other hand, if Babcock went with Howard in Game 3 and he fell short, the game of musical goalies may never end.

Meanwhile, there are no doubts at that position now for the Lightning, who received top-notch ‘tending from Bishop after a less-than-impressive start in Game 1.

In the opener, Bishop allowed the first shot he faced to get past him. He also let in the first attempt in the second period. Finishing with three goals against on 14 shots, some wondered whether the big guy would be up to the task when the pressure is on.

He answered with a 23-save effort, blanking the Red Wings for two periods to allow his dynamic forwards to do some damage. He looked calm and in control even when his crease was cluttered with bodies.

Missing out on the playoffs last season because of a wrist injury, Bishop felt good to finally earn his first NHL postseason victory.

“I felt a lot better [than in Game 1],” Bishop said on the CBC broadcast. “It was nice to get some saves early. You work a long time to get here. Last season was disappointing, so I was really looking forward to it this year.”

Bishop’s play on Saturday was much improved. So was that of the forwards, who put more pressure on Mrazek by getting shots from in close. In Game 1, they launched most of their shots from 30 feet out. On Saturday, they were in tight for rebounds, capitalized on a Johnson breakaway and had a nice tic-tac-toe play to a pinching Andrej Sustr for the rookie defenseman’s first NHL goal.

With nearly 80 shots through two games and now a five-goal outburst, the Lightning offense is capable of striking early and often.

The Wings will soon find out whether it’s too much for Mrazek.

Babcock had better hope it’s not.

Steve Macfarlane has covered the NHL for more than a decade, including seven seasons following the Calgary Flames for the Calgary Sun. Follow him on Twitter at @macfarlaneHKY.