The Detroit Red Wings were able to bounce back from a 3-0 hole to defeat the Buffalo Sabres by a 6-4 count Sunday, but no such opportunity presented itself to starting goalie Petr Mrazek, who was given the hook after Buffalo’s third goal.
His chance at redemption comes Tuesday, as the Wings play host to the Minnesota Wild at Joe Louis Arena and Mrazek gets the nod in goal.
Detroit coach Mike Babcock is anxious to watch how his 22-year-old netminder responds to his first real taste of adversity at the NHL level.
“We’ll watch, find out,” Babcock said. “The team was brutal, let’s be honest. He was part of it. No one was prepared to play.
“He never got an opportunity to play in the second and third when everyone else got an opportunity to bail themselves out, so he has and opportunity here today.”
Facing up to an overcoming failure is all part of the process of developing into a full-time NHLer.
“That’s what the league is about, it’s an everyday league,” Babcock said. “Part of being a young guy is when you have success is you dwell on the success instead of getting ready for tomorrow. You have these lapses in back-to-back games with young guys, so here’s an opportunity to bounce back.”
Those who know Mrazek best feel he’ll be just fine.
“It’s big, but at the same time we’re all comfortable with him and we know that he’s an amazing goaltender and I think he knows it to,” said Detroit center Riley Sheahan, who played with Mrazek in the AHL with Grand Rapids. “It’s just something that he can put behind him and it helps that we ended up winning that game against Buffalo.
“We’re definitely, extremely comfortably with him in net. We know he’s very skilled and it will be big for him. But at the same time it really isn’t anything to worry about.”
Sheahan witnessed Mrazek enjoy some big bounce back games in the AHL after rough outings.
“Yeah, but that’s one of the good things about him is that he’s quick to forget about things,” Sheahan said. “It’s crucial for a goalie.
“He’s confident and we’re confident in him and that certainly helps a lot. I don’t know if there’s many goalies that make the quick jump into the NHL like he did.
“It’s pretty impressive.”
No Room
Right-winger Teemu Pulkkinen arrived in Detroit as the AHL goal-scoring leader with 20, but five games into his second stint as a Red Wing he’s still seeking his first NHL point.
“It’s hard here,” Pulkkinen said. “The game is faster, players are aggressive, stronger. The game is better here. The D knows how to block the shots, where to be when guys are shooting.
Babcock insists the problem is simply explained and one that’s sidetracked many a minor-league scoring star prior to Pulkinnen upon arriving in the show.
“There’s no space,” Babcock said. “It’s the NHL, so there’s no space. In the American League or in Europe, you swing by something or you cruise around for the big shot. Here, if you’re not in the right spot you never get the puck and then if your feet aren’t turned right so you can release it on the one-touch you’re never getting a shot.
“It’s just coming in and getting used to the league and understanding. It usually takes guys, unless you’re an absolute superstar, more than one try.”
Pulkkinen is doing his best to keep a positive attitude through it all.
“It’s been fun for me,” he said. “I like it over here. I want to score goals, get some points, but I don’t want to get frustrated that I haven’t scored.
“The team is winning right now so that’s perfect. Everything is good here. I just try and push hard and play better every night.”
Every Day He’s Shuffling
Babcock mixed up his bottom two lines Tuesday and put together some intriguing combinations.
Usual fourth-line center Luke Glendening was on the right winger with Sheahan at center and Drew Miller on the left side. Joakim Andersson will play center for the first time this season between Stephen Weiss and Pulkkinen.
A winger until he came to Detroit, Glendening wasn’t concerned by the change in position.
“I’ve played wing my whole career, 13½ years, so I’ve only played center for maybe two, so I don’t think so,” Glendening said of whether it would be an adjustment for him.
Andersson was excited to be back at his natural position.
“I’m used to playing center,” Andersson said. “I’ve been a center my whole career.
“It should be fun.”
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