Wings' Mrazek bounces back from rough starts like a vet

Petr Mrazek picked up on it when he was a kid: Optimism is the key to success.

The young goaltender currently holding down the starting job for the Detroit Red Wings keeps impressing with an attitude that deflects doubt even when pucks pour in. The latest example came over the weekend, when he had 22 saves to help the Wings to a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders one game after being pulled. Mrazek was confident before and after the Saturday performance, because that's what he learned growing up in the Czech Republic.

"You have to be like that," Mrazek said. "I'm happy, I know — like when I talk with other goalies when I was young, pro goalies in Czech league, how they prepare for the game when they didn't play well before. I took something from there.

"Just bounce back and be strong mentally and physically."

That moxie has impressed veteran teammates since Mrazek first appeared with the Wings in February 2013, when he turned in 28 saves for his first victory, seven days short of his 21st birthday.

"He always looks so confident, and that's key for him," Jonathan Ericsson said. "He's playing like he's not 22. We have all the confidence in the world with him, but I think he felt really good, he was eager to have such a strong game after Tampa."

Mrazek allowed five goals on 15 shots to the Lightning, prompting him to be pulled for the second time this month.

"He's been yanked now twice, and he's responded the next night," coach Mike Babcock said. "I really like that. He's still got to develop as a goaltender, he's got to work on his skill set, but I think his mind is really good. Some guys bring energy every day and some guys are mentally, mentally strong and other guys aren't."

Babcock went on to say that "not many teams are going to win seven of eight with their third goalie."

Mrazek, who turns 23 this month, has been the go-to guy since Jimmy Howard suffered a groin injury Jan. 10. Howard began on-ice workouts last week, and regular back-up Jonas Gustavsson delivered 26 saves in a conditioning stint Saturday with Grand Rapids. Gustavsson is scheduled to play for the Griffins again Wednesday.

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.