Mrazek's big return leaves Babcock with choices in net

Detroit — So who will be the Red Wings' starting goaltender Thursday in Florida?

Coach Mike Babcock was posed the question after Mrazek's 42-save 5-1 victory Sunday in Pittsburgh, and temporarily brushed it aside.

Mrazek or Jimmy Howard? Babcock will think about it.

"I'm going to enjoy a nice meal on the plane, then a nice day off (Monday; the Red Wings didn't skate), and then I'll make some decisions after that," Babcock said.

But the fact both goalies appear to be pushing each other to better performances?

"It's a great situation," Babcock said.

There was some pressure on the Red Wings — and Mrazek — Sunday, the team having lost four of five games and 24 hours earlier getting clobbered 7-2 in Philadelphia.

But playing the Penguins, another team in need of a victory — and playing in the same arena he was pulled after two periods in a 4-1 loss on Feb. 11 — Mrazek starred in the Red Wings victory.

"Mrazek was huge in net," Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "He made some key saves in key moments."

The way Sunday went wasn't a surprise for Mrazek, who appears to thrive if the environment is larger than normal.

"If you feel pressure, it's not good," Mrazek said. "You have to stay positive all the time. You have streaks, or games, when you don't score or anything is going in. You just have to battle hard and come back."

Which is what Mrazek did, also, by the way he responded after his own disappointing performance in Pittsburgh the month before. Mrazek was sent back to Grand Rapids a few days later when Jonas Gustavsson came off the injured list.

Sunday's game was the first for Mrazek with the Red Wings since that February game, and first since being recalled when Gustavsson (head) was hurt again March 8.

"It felt great to bounce back after the last game I played here," Mrazek said. "I didn't finish the game. It was nice to bounce back after that.

"We did a great job. There was good communication."

Babcock has been impressed with Mrazek since the young goalie made brief appearances with the Red Wings last season.

Mrazek, 23, has already played 21 games (14 victories) this season and shown considerable promise heading into the future.

Playing against a difficult offensive team such as the Penguins, Mrazek handled the barrage calmly and effectively.

"He's good, he's just good and he relishes these opportunities," Babcock said. "He thinks he's going to win and he has the capability. We needed a win and we didn't help Howie (Jimmy Howard) last night (in the loss to Philadelphia) but we helped Pete early, and better, and Pete was good."

Potent Pulkkinen

Mrazek, incidentally, isn't surprised by the fact forward Teemu Pulkkinen now has five NHL goals after scoring twice in Sunday's victory.

Mrazek saw the hard-shooting Pulkkinen score 34 goals thus far this season in Grand Rapids (still leading the AHL).

"He scores there on every shot," Mrazek said. "I'm not surprised."

Pulkkinen's goals Sunday came on a blistering one-timer from the dot that Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury couldn't react quick enough, and later scored on a deflected shot which also shattered his stick.

Playing on a line with Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco, Pulkkinen seemed confident and comfortable on the ice.

"When you score some goals, you get some confidence," Pulkkinen said. "I feel better every day. Everybody here helps me out, the veteran guys, everybody.

"It's nice to be part of this group."

As for Pulkkinen's devastating shot?

"It's an incredible weapon he has," Babcock said. "He can flat-out crank it."

Ice chips

Babcock expects Darren Helm (oblique strain) to be ready for Thursday's game against the Panthers. Helm has missed the last seven games.

…Marek Zidlicky has seven points in seven games since being acquired by the Red Wings at the trade deadline, but credits his new teammates for the adjustment since arriving March 2.

"It's not easy, especially when you move from your family," Zidlicky said of being traded at the deadline. "It's a new system, a new team, a new rink. Everything is new. But the guys have helped me a lot.

"It's a real skilled team."

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