Petr Mrazek to start

[dubbsco]

Ansar Khan twitter.

 

[zyxt9]

makes sense considering his last start vs TB, but it is unlikely he will repeat that performance unfortunately.

 

[biggunsbob]

He played well in his last start verses TB.. But then that was probably the teams best game in the last month of the season .. 4-0 win at home.. defense shut down TB..

 

[tigersofjustice]

Howard hasn't been the same since coming back from injury. Neither has been reliable, both have looked poor in recent weeks. I'd be more tempted to go with Howard for the veteran presence. He's the most likely of the two to be able to put questionable performances behind him I think.

 

[biggunsbob]

Howard hasn't been the same since coming back from injury. Neither has been reliable, both have looked poor in recent weeks. I'd be more tempted to go with Howard for the veteran presence. He's the most likely of the two to be able to put questionable performances behind him I think.

I can't disagree with any of this.. I just do not know who should start.. Hope
PM is up for the challenge..

 

[jdeb]

I think Mrazek will have a short leash. Howard has been pretty awful down the stretch and I did not see that coming at all. Sometimes these things have a way of working themselves out. Howard can not be too happy about it and if Mrazek fails, he will have to step his game up a few notches. Good move and hard to dispute. We will see.

 

[UMRules06]

I would have started Howard as well. He's the veteran, he's been here before so he knows what to expect. It's not like he's been god awful in the playoffs before. If for some reason he does look bad in game 1 then you can turn to the "savior" in game 2 or 3

 

[zyxt9]

It really won't matter much based on their recent performances. Hate to say it, but its kind of a Lose-Lose situation and both will likely play during the series...which will likely be TB in 5 based on regular season...but as we all know anything can happen now that the playoffs are here.

 

[LGRW_9]

When Mrazek and the Griffins won the Calder Cup in 2013, they beat TB's AHL affiliate, so Mrazek is somewhat familiar with the young guns on TB's current roster, for whatever that's worth.

It's a crap shoot either way. I say go with the youngster and see what he's made of.

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

Picking Howard because of playoff experience doesn't make sense to me. The shots aren't different. The crowds aren't much different. The pressure to win isn't truly that much greater until the series is nearing it's end. It's still just hockey.

That said, I think this was the best decision to motivate both players. For Mrazek, who wasn't even in the big leagues to start the season, this vote of confidence may be just what he needs. He'll feel confident himself and want to play his best to validate the coaches' faith. Jimmy, meanwhile, has been bad down the stretch and not starting him shows that the his big contract doesn't guarantee him anything. Hopefully this makes him hungry to step up if Mrazek falters, and reclaim the spot he "lost."

 

[dubbsco]

Heard that Pavel and Hank will be on the same line.

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

Heard that Pavel and Hank will be on the same line.

That's actually surprising to me. I figured they'd put Pavel on the first line to check Stamkos, then Hank on the second to slow down the Palat-Johnson-Kucherov line.

 

[dubbsco]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/04/red_wings_lineup_vs_lightning_2.html

 

[zoombabyzoom]

No Abby is gonna hurt. Lots of pressure on Sheahan.

Also, I never feel like Zetterberg works well with Datsyuk. If that's even possible lol