Detroit Red Wings Jimmy Howard facing pressure of young star
By Joe Chapp
Being the goalie for the Detroit Red Wings, you are basically the point of blame when things go wrong, often times being unfairly blamed for team failures.
The Red Wings haven’t played any good the past three-four weeks and that includes Jimmy Howard, but it shouldn’t fall strictly on the goaltender.
The Wings are in a unique position, they have a good goaltender in Jimmy Howard among the popular belief he’s a bad goalie that will never win anything. They also have a rising star in Petr Mrazek a Red Wings prospect who’s playing quite well, but still has many things to learn.
More from Detroit Jock City
- Tigers Sign Manager A.J. Hinch to Long-Term Extension
- Lions vs. Bears Week 14 Opening Odds Disrespect Detroit
- Former Tigers Celebrate Jim Leyland Hall of Fame Call
- This Pistons Team Could be the Worst in Detroit Sports History
- 4 Free Agents Tigers Should Sign During Winter Meetings
Facts are mean, and while people will crucify Jimmy Howard lets look at some facts.
Career Save Pct: 12th
Who’s behind Howard? Patrick Roy, Johnathan Quick, Antti Niemi and Ryan Miller.
Who’s ahead of Howard? Henrik Lundquvist, Tuukka Rask, Carey Price, Pekka Rinne and Tim Thomas.
Career GAA: 25th
Who’s behind Howard? Carey Price, Patrick Roy, Roberto Luongo, Terry Sawchuk and Ryan Miller.
Who’s ahead of Howard? Ken Dryden, Martin Brodeur, Henrik Lundquvist, Pekka Rinne and Tuukka Rask.
2015 Save Pct: 22nd
Who’s behind Howard?
Sergei Bobrovsky, Jaroslav Halak and Ryan Miller.
Who’s ahead of Howard?
Carey Price, Tuukka Rask, Johnathan Quick, Henrik Lundquvist and Pekka Rinne.
2015 GAA: 18th
Who’s ahead of Howard?
Ben Bishop, Henrik Lundquvist, Pekka Rinne, Carey Price and Johnathan Quick.
Who’s behind Howard?
Cam Ward, Jonas Hiller, Ryan Miller, Jaroslav Halak and Semyon Varlamov.
Active GAA: 9th
Who’s ahead of Howard?
Johnathan Quick, Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne, Jaroslav Halak and Corey Crawford.
Who’s behind Howard?
Carey Price, Cam Ward, Marc-Andre Fluery, Roberto Luongo and Ryan Miller.
Active Save Pct: 9th
Who’s ahead of Howard?
Corey Crawford, Henrik Lundqvist, Tuukka Rask, Pekka Rinne, Carey Price and Roberto Luongo.
Who’s behind Howard?
Johnathan Quick, Ryan Miller and Marc-Andre Fluery.
What do we make of Howards numbers?
The numbers of Jimmy Howard are good in his career however since coming back from injury his GAA has significantly went up, but Mike Babcock isn’t blaming Howard.
"“We aren’t doing a good enough job on defense, we’re not helping Howie out and that reflects we haven’t played good hockey in a couple of weeks. It has to change.”"
Jimmy Howard is facing pressure by his younger peer Petr Mrazek while Mrazek has won many games his GAA and Save Pct aren’t as good, but Mrazek hasn’t played as many games.
What this means?
Detroit Red Wings
Jimmy Howard is simply up against his own teammate and what a better chance to show your “Back” than by beating Tampa Bay? Jimmy Howard has to play better he’s had good games, but he’s had a few bad games. Babcock isn’t scared to go to the young net minder as Babcock said “Who ever gives us the best chance to win.”
The Detroit Red Wings have a tough stretch coming down the last part of the season. It will be interesting to see how the Red Wings play with the uncertainty of who might start in the playoffs.
There’s no doubt, Jimmy Howard needs to play better, but it will be interesting to see how Babcock handles this.
Next: Why Jimmy Howard has to stay the starter to avoid controversy