Howard had an excellent preseason posting a 1.90 GAA and .943 SV% in three outings. He has said that he is feeling as good as he ever has to start and that is great news for the Red Wings, who will need Howie to bounce-back from a disappointing 2013-14. The Red Wings are a young team, but Mike Babcock has them playing a puck possession style that limits chances at the Red Wings' net--thus helping Howard.
Howard looks to follow up his first career playoff shutout.
Howard did not start the year well, but he sure finished it well and enters the playoffs playing his best hockey of the season. He won 21 games with a 2.66 GAA and .910 SV%, but comes into Friday having won four of his last five while holding opponents to just two goes in each game. He is not Tuukka Rask, but if he can be close, the Red Wings have a shot.
Howard gave up two goals on 19 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Hurricanes on Friday. The loss and Columbus' win last night guarantees the Wings will play Boston in the first-round of the playoffs. He will start in the season finale this afternoon in St. Louis. Howie was pulled after allowing three goals on 25 shots in the first 30 minutes in their first meeting--but that will not be the Blues team he faces tonight.
Howard turned aside 25 of 27 shots in Tuesday's 4-2 win over the Sabres. He has won each of his last four starts while holding the opposition to two goals in each contest and posting a .929 SV%. Howie has brought his game to another level in the final month of the season and appears ready to try and carry the Red Wings into the post-season, much like he did last season. They have clinched a playoff spot, now games are about who they will face--Boston or Pittsburgh? Pick your poison.
Howard stopped 21 of 23 shots in a win over the Sabres of Friday. Howie has now won three in a row with a 2.00 GAA and .929 SV%. Tonight, he is a must-start as he goes up against the Sabres again. Detroit's magic number is 3, so a win tonight all but assures the playoffs for the 23rd straight season.
Howard stood on his head stopping 33 of 35 shots in a 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday. The Red WIngs really had no business winning this game, but Howard kept them afloat throughout. He makes for an excellent start tonight vs. the Sabres, especially with Pavel Datsyuk returning to the Wings lineup.
Howard turned aside 25 of 27 shots in huge 4-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday. He was given Sunday night off, but will be back in goal when the Red Wings host the Bruins. It is a very difficult matchup for Howie, he allowed four goals on 37 shots in a 4-1 loss to Boston back in October.
Howard allowed five goals on 29 shots in a 5-4 loss to the Canadiens on Thursday. Howie was unable to come up with the key saves late in the game as the Wings and Habs opened it up beer league style in the third period. He has lost three in a row while giving up 12 goals, but will need to bring his A-game tonight in a massive contest vs. the Maple Leafs.
Howard allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. One of the goals was highly questionable as the net was off it's moorings, but ruled a goal regardless. Overall, Howard continues to make big saves but give up a could goals mostly due to lack of talent on the Wings blueline. He will look to lock down two points tonight when Detroit hosts the Habs.
Howard gave up four goals on 25 shots in a 4-3 OT loss to the Wild on Sunday. The Red Wings were flat in the third period, but despite an ugly stat line, Howie was great yet again. He has won four of his last six with a 2.74 GAA and .907 SV%. He will get another start tonight in a huge clash with the Blue Jackets.
Howard stopped 28 of 30 shots in a yesterday's 3-2 win in Minnesota. Howard looked sharp once again and has now won four of his last five starts with a 2.52 GAA and .918 SV%. This is the Howie that carried the Wings last season, they need it to continue. He should make for another strong start tonight vs. the Wild.
Miller allowed four goals on 27 shots in a loss to the Blackhawks on Wednesday. It was the first time with St. Louis that he had allowed more than three goals as well as losing in regulation. The Hawks are likely the Blues biggest competition in the West so don't get used to seeing the 'L' next to Miller's stat line. On Saturday, he will face a Flyers team who have won four in a row.
Howard allowed two goals on 33 shots in a 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. It was a huge win for Howie and the Red Wings. It is the type of performance the Wings need to continue that 22-year playoff streak. Tonight, he will be in tough with Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in MoTown.
Howard allowed four goals on 30 shots as the Red Wings dropped Sunday's contest vs. the Blackhawks 4-1. Howard played very well until a late second period goal seemed to unravel the Red Wings. Chicago added two more in the third and the rest is history. He will get the nod vs. the Maple Leafs tonight, the first time he faced them he stopped 24 shots in a 3-2 shootout loss at the Winter Classic.
Howard stopped 21 of 22 shots and all three shootout attempts in a 2-1 SO victory over the Oilers on Friday. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for Howie, who the Red Wings are still looking for to re-gain his 2013 form. He draws a very difficult tonight in Chicago.
Howard was scheduled to start on Tuesday, but he was feeling under the weather prior to puck-drop and the Red Wings made a late switch to Petr Mrazek. Howard has lost each of his last three starts with a miserable 3.24 GAA and .882 SV%. The Wings are trying to make it to the playoffs for the 23rd consecutive year, but Howie is not doing them any favours right now. He was unreal last season, they need that Jimmy Howard to return if they want to make it into the post-season.
Howard gave up three goals on 31 shots in a 3-0 loss to the Rangers on Sunday. It was a lackluster performance by the Red Wings as a group, but it was the third game in a row that Howie has given up three-plus goals. He will take on the Blue Jackets in a game with huge playoff implications for both teams.
Howard allowed three goals on 25 shots in a 3-2 OT loss to the Avalanche on Thursday. He was given Thursday night off, but will be back in the crease Sunday afternoon when the Wings host the Rangers. Detroit is clinging to the final wild card spot in the East so they need a big day from Howie.
Howard surrendered four goals on 29 shots in a 4-3 come-from-behind loss to the Devils on Tuesday. It was a tough loss that bounced the Red Wings from the final playoff spot in the East. Howie gets the nod on Nicklas Lidstrom night in Detroit vs. Colorado. He is 1-1-0 with a 2.42 GAA and .898 SV% since the Olympics.