Petr Mrazek 1-29-15

Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek has cooled off over his past four starts after a hot streak.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT - One of the things the Detroit Red Wings like about young goaltender Petr Mrazek is his confidence. He has a swagger about him. Coach Mike Babcock refers to it as moxie.

Mrazek's mental toughness is being put to the test. He has hit a rough patch the past four games, allowing 16 goals and getting pulled twice.

"That's what life is, it's about responding," Babcock said. "Some guys are better than others. Anytime you've got a young goalie -- and I talked about how (Tampa Bay's Ben) Bishop's on his third team and (Jimmy Howard) spent (four) years in the minors -- it's an impossible position. It's hard.

"You've got to be rock solid between your ears. So (he's facing) a little adversity. What does he do tomorrow? Let's watch."

It won't get any easier on Saturday, when Mrazek faces the Metropolitan Division-leading New York Islanders at Joe Louis Arena (2 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit). The Islanders (32-15-1) are tied for second in the NHL in goals per game (3.15).

Mrazek has played well during spot starts the past three seasons. After Howard suffered a groin injury on Jan. 10, Mrazek stepped in and won three games in a row.

At that point he was sporting a 2.12 goals-against average and .923 save percentage. After allowing five goals on 15 shots through two periods in Thursday's 5-1 loss at Tampa Bay, Mrazek emerged with a 2.77 GAA and .904 save percentage.

"Of course I'm not happy with that," Mrazek said. "I let in a few goals I probably shouldn't have and made the game change. Just stay positive and battle hard.

"You have to flush it and not think about it and get ready for (Saturday) and stay thinking positive. Sometimes the pucks go in and you don't know why, so you just have to battle."

He indicated his confidence hasn't been shaken.

"I believe that the mental toughness on my side is helping me stay positive and stay ready for every game," Mrazek said. "You have to be mentally strong and enjoy it."

Mrazek has a 5.36 GAA and .842 save percentage his past four games. He doesn't believe he's getting worn down mentally by having to carry the load in the absence of Howard and Jonas Gustavsson, who should return next week.

"When I played in Grand Rapids I played every game and now here it's the same process," Mrazek said. "I'm trying hard work, on the ice before the game and in the game."

He hopes to lead his team to a rare win over the Islanders, who are 8-1-1 in their past 10 games against the Red Wings and have won five in a row at the Joe. Detroit's most recent home victory against the Islanders was on Nov. 28, 2003 (6-0).

And this appears to be the best team the Islanders have had in more than 20 years.

"I thought they were great when we played them (2-1 loss at JLA on Dec. 19)," Babcock said. "They've got a real good team. It should be fun. We understand what we've got."

-- Download the Detroit Red Wings on MLive app for iPhone and Android

-- Follow Ansar Khan and Brendan Savage on Twitter

-- Like MLive's Detroit Red Wings Facebook page