OT: Wings - Pens

Submitted by ppudge on
4-0 Wings at the end of 2. Wings have been struggling since the trade deadline acquisitions, but I'm of the belief that Jimmy Howard has been as much of the issue for the poor play as anything. He hasn't been the same since coming back from his groin injury. Interesting that Mrazek is in the net today and the team looks much better. To me, I would think Babcock has to seriously think about Mrazek as our playoff goalie.

duffman355

March 15th, 2015 at 2:20 PM ^

Howie has good experience though.  I thought the same thing though, only because Howard hasn't been the same since going down.  In a game like this I just hope the WIngs escape without any injuries.

Joined: 05/11/2012

MGoPoints: 372

drjaws

March 15th, 2015 at 4:44 PM ^

Mrazek has a much better win % but Howard has a ever-so-slightly better GAA (2.38 v 2.47) and save % is about equal (Jimmy is 0.1% higher).

Tells me the team plays a bit better with Mrazek in net even though he and Jimmy are pretty equivalent in net. I say Jimmy is on a short leash.

Joined: 02/26/2014

MGoPoints: 46901

bronxblue

March 15th, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^

Howard will get the shot to start the playoffs, but it feels like he might have a shorter leash with the "out" being the groin injury.  It's a small sample size, but Mrazek looks like the better goalie right now.  Of course, scroing 4 goals and getting the Penguins to get multiple 10-minute misconducts makes any goalie's life easier.

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 171843

mgob-rad

March 15th, 2015 at 2:53 PM ^

Jurco seems to play much more tense when faced with better competition. His game hasn't quite adjusted to the NHL level yet and it is showing. Not saying it never will, but as of now he still needs a lot more experience to become more comfortable playing at this level. Pulkkinen however plays with tons of energy and does not seem to be affected by the higher level of play. He has an absolute cannon and loves to shoot the puck and get himself in position to score. His game is a bit selfish at times and that will change as he gets more experience but he is a pure goal scorer and is doing that effectively so far

Joined: 09/18/2014

MGoPoints: 2068

mgob-rad

March 15th, 2015 at 2:46 PM ^

Some notes on the wings:

1. This team can not send Teemu Pulkinnen down to the Griffins again. He should get consistent ice time for the rest of the season and for the playoffs. He's young, energetic and makes mistakes but his goal scoring is too valuable for us to wait on him any longer. 

2. The Zidlicky pick up so far seems like an amazing move. He is playing great for us and hopefully it continues.

3. I truly believe that Mrazek should get a shot to become the starting goalie. Jimmy does not look the same ever since the groin injury and the team seems to play better with Mrazek in net. However, whoever wins the job hopefully wins it soon because its important we aren't guessing which goalie is going to play better come playoff time. 

Joined: 09/18/2014

MGoPoints: 2068

meechiganman14

March 15th, 2015 at 3:17 PM ^

Agree with all of this. Zidlicky has provided exactly what they've needed with that big shot. I'm really curious to see how they handle the goalies the next couple years. It's hard to deny the W-L record Mrazek has accumulated. I wonder what they could get for Jimmy in a trade this summer or next.

Joined: 06/12/2012

MGoPoints: 509

Michology 101

March 15th, 2015 at 3:08 PM ^

Mrazek is playing great today. I hope this kid proves to be the real deal. Sometimes all it takes is great goaltending to raise a whole hockey team to elite status. Montreal would probably be an average team without Price.

Joined: 06/02/2014

MGoPoints: 3798

lunchboxthegoat

March 15th, 2015 at 3:29 PM ^

wings backup goalie and lions backup QB. that aside. Jimmy has been struggling. I'm of the mind that if he doesn't turn the light back on in the next 9 games, babs will have a tough decision to make in the playoffs. If he starts to look like himself Jimmy has got to start in the playoffs.

Joined: 10/07/2008

MGoPoints: 4865

UMxWolverines

March 15th, 2015 at 3:40 PM ^

I don't think Mrazek is the next Dominic Hasek but I think it's pretty clear by now that Howard isn't worth what they're paying him and the team has played better more often lately with Mrazek in net. No reason to go away from what works.

Joined: 03/01/2009

MGoPoints: 65474

enlightenedbum

March 15th, 2015 at 3:37 PM ^

I think by the time he got hurt the refs were so annoyed with Hornqvist the Wings could have literally done anything to him and not gotten called.  He is the divingest man.

Joined: 06/06/2009

MGoPoints: 64438

the_benjy_vortex

March 15th, 2015 at 3:53 PM ^

Where was the Wings post yesterday? As a Rangers fan, the Wings would seem like a yummy first round playoff matchup. Great to see them drub Pittsburgh today. Classless, undisciplined fucks.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 12/02/2013

MGoPoints: 2659

TheDirtyD

March 15th, 2015 at 11:32 PM ^

I watch a lot of hockey they just don't scare. The habs so they have better goaltending better talent better defense and more grit. The Rangers just are playing well at this moment. Once henrik gets back they will flatten out.

Joined: 07/18/2009

MGoPoints: 17916