For Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek, the new year will hopefully be a fresh start. After signing a two-year, $8 million contract in the off-season, Mrazek has been inconsistent and downright mediocre.
Mrazek was expected to be a rock for the Red Wings in goal like he was for much of last season. However, Jimmy Howard has undoubtedly been the better goaltender this season by a wide margin. Before spraining his MCL, Howard posted an impressive 1.96 goals-against average and .934 save percentage compared to Mrazek’s atrocious 3.11 goals-against and .896 save percentage.
With Howard out for at least another month and Detroit’s chances at the playoffs getting smaller and smaller, Mrazek needs to return to the level he played at for much of last season. The new year is the perfect time for him to turn his game around. The Red Wings start a five game road trip tonight against the Anaheim Ducks, and Mrazek will be getting the start after sitting the last two games, per Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
#RedWings going with Petr Mrazek in starter's net this morning at Honda Center.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) January 4, 2017
In the month of January last season, Mrazek went 7-1-1 and led the NHL in goals-against average (1.32) and save percentage (.952) for some time. At that point, Mrazek was considered a strong candidate for the Vezina Trophy. But soon after, his game fell apart. Since Valentine’s Day of last year, Mrazek had gone 15-14-4, and his numbers have been concerning. He has allowed three or more goals in each of his last six appearances.
For a Red Wings team that has struggled to score goals and ranks dead last on the power play, Mrazek’s play has only made matters worse. If the Red Wings have any shot at making the playoffs this season, Mrazek needs to play at the Vezina-caliber level he showcased in the past. Mrazek has shown that he can steal games and make highlight-reel saves, so the potential is there. He just needs to find it.
While Mrazek returning to form could help the Red Wings, he cannot carry the team into the playoffs by himself. Despite Jimmy Howard’s phenomenal play, the Red Wings are just 5-7-1 with him in net. Defensive breakdowns and a lack of scoring have hurt the Red Wings all season long, and these problems need to be solved along with Mrazek’s play.
Whatever the issues are, Mrazek and the Red Wings had better figure it out before it’s too late.
