The Sports Xchange
Wings’ Howard struggles in return
Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard doesn’t have much time to shake off the rust before
the playoffs start. But after missing much of the past two months with a broken index
finger and a strained groin, Howard is confident he’ll be in peak form when the postseason
begins.
Howard faced 26 shots in a 4-1 loss to Nashville Friday, his first game back after
missing four with a sore groin, the same injury that idled him earlier in the month for
three games.
The workhorse goaltender was leading the NHL in wins before he broke his finger on Feb.
2, was even on pace to break the franchise record of 44, set by Terry Sawchuk (1950-51 and
’51-52), if not the league record of 48 set by Martin Brodeur of New Jersey in 2006-07.
But he is only 1-5-2 in his past eight games.
“I know what I’m capable of doing out there, it’s just a matter of going out there and
doing it again,” Howard said. “I’ve been on and off for a month-and-a-half and haven’t
played a lot, but I’ve been able to practice a lot. I think that’s key for me because I
always practice the way I play. Going out there and working hard translates into games.”
In all, Howard has not dressed for seven of the previous 11 games and 15 of the past
25. But he is confident the groin issues won’t resurface and that he will have enough time
to prepare for the postseason.
Sunday’s home game against Florida will be another test for him.
Nashville moved one point ahead of the Red Wings in the battle for the fourth playoff
seed in the Western Conference, which would give them home-ice advantage in the first
round.
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