Red Wings’ Petr Mrazek leaves game against Utah due to injury

As if things couldn’t get any worse right now in Hockeytown.

In a game against the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night, Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek had to leave the game prematurely due to injury.

The veteran netminder was involved in a collision just over 90 seconds into the game. After making a save on Utah forward Dylan Guenther, Mrazek was clipped by Guenther on his drive to the net. To add insult to injury, opposing forward Barrett Hayton also ran into Mrazek in his pursuit of a rebound.

Mrazek immediately hobbled to the bench, going right down the Red Wings tunnel with the training staff in tow.

Alex Lyon was then tasked with coming in relief just 1:38 into the game. Mrazek was credited with just one save.

While it’s too early to tell the severity of Mrazek’s ailment, a long-term loss for the Czech netminder could be detrimental to a team whose playoff hopes are already dwindling.

It was just Mrazek’s fifth start since the Red Wings re-acquired him, along with forward Craig Smith, in a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks before the trade deadline.

Mrazek has been good since returning to Detroit. He’s gone 2-2 in his first four appearances, including winning his “debut” with the Wings on March 12 against the Buffalo Sabres. The 33-year-old picked up a shutout against the Vegas Golden Knights on March 16. With the Wings, he has a 2.51 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage.

In a total of 37 appearances this season, Mrazek is 12-21-2 with a 3.35 GAA and a .891 SV%.

Injuries have plagued Mrazek over his career. He played just 20 games during the 2021-22 season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, appearing in a measly 39 the following year with Chicago.

The Red Wings (32-31-6) came into Monday night sixth in the Atlantic Division, five points back of the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.