Howard or Mrazek for Wings? Just flip a coin

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — After getting pulled in the Detroit Red Wings’ loss to the New York Islanders Sunday, goaltender Petr Mrazek wasn’t about to rest on his laurels about shutting out the Tampa Bay Lightning the day before.

“Yesterday was yesterday, and today I let (in) four goals,” he said.

Jimmy Howard let in one goal in relief, but as coach Mike Babcock said, the all-star didn’t have to face many chances. One game wasn’t enough to judge Mrazek and Howard in what’s becoming an intriguing goaltending competition for the Red Wings.

“Obviously, (Mrazek) shut out one of the best offensive teams in the league the other night, and tonight the puck went in on him,” Babcock said Sunday at Nassau Coliseum. “We’ll get on a flight and we’ll have an off-day tomorrow and by the next day, I’ll have a plan.”

The plan could be to split action between Mrazek and Howard for the rest of the regular season before Babcock picks a starter for Game 1 of Detroit’s first-round playoff series. Given Mrazek’s brilliance mixed with inconsistency and Howard’s recent struggles, it’s not an easy decision.

Howard may have the edge based on his established NHL track record and previous playoff appearances.

“You’ve just got to take care of your own business by working hard every single day in practice and just battling,” Howard said. “Once you get out there, just play. I know how to play this game.”

Saturday, Mrazek became the first goaltender this season to shut out the deep, high-powered Lightning. When Howard was injured in January, the 23-year-old Czech took the reins as Detroit’s starter. In 25 games, Mrazek is 15-7-1 with a 2.54 goalsagainst average and .912 save percentage.

“You try and play every night,” Mrazek said. “Sometimes it’s going to go in a good way, sometimes in a bad way. Just stay positive and be ready for the next game.”

The Red Wings’ next game is Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, whose coach, Dave Cameron, declined to name a starter when asked Monday. Ottawa’s playoff hopes are far more precarious than Detroit’s, so it’s not necessarily whom Babcock picks to start the next game that matters as much as who’s the No. 1 going into the postseason.