Detroit Red Wings players Petr Mrazek and Dylan Larkin and coach Jeff Blashill answer questions after the 3-0 win over the Devils on Monday, Jan. 22 at Prudential Center. Video by Helene St. James/DFP
NEWARK, N.J. — Petr Mrazek is making a case for more starts, and he’s increasing his value as an asset for the Detroit Red Wings.
There were numerous highlights among the Wings’ 3-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Monday at Prudential Center, but Mrazek gets the headline for making 37 saves to earn his second straight shutout and third of the season. It speaks to how much he’s struggled this season that after stopping 64 shots dating to the 4-0 victory at Chicago he’s still got a .909 save percentage and 3.14 goals-against average, but it does look like he has his swagger back.
“I am trying to get some confidence every game I played, every save I made,” Mrazek said. “I haven’t played lots of minutes this year, so every game I am trying to get confidence.
“Sometimes it’s tough for a goaltender when you don’t play a lot and then from nowhere you get in to play a game. But I try to be focused every game and every minute I am on the ice.”
One of Mrazek’s best saves came in the third period when he made a point-blank stop on Brian Boyle. Mrazek also came up big during five New Jersey power plays, making 11 saves while the Wings were shorthanded.
“Petr played great, especially on the penalty kill was where we gave up the most chances and he was excellent on that,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “Without question, when you play to the level he’s played, you push for ice time. Sometimes you have to do it over and over and over again, and he’s done that here the last couple games.”
Two years ago at this time, Mrazek played like an elite goaltender. He lost the starting job at the start of last season, and set himself back with a poor attitude. It wasn’t a good look last summer when the Wings exposed him in the expansion draft, and there were no takers for Mrazek.
He came into this season with a much better attitude, but the results didn’t come, while Jimmy Howard gave the Wings a chance to win most of his starts. Seeing the way Mrazek has bounced back is good.
“The biggest thing is, we notice he’s battling in practice and he wants to be better and he’s doing the little things that he has to do to make sure he’s ready for his opportunity,” Dylan Larkin said. “When you see him where things haven’t gone his way this year and he’s battling in practice, you want to play for him and you want to block shots and you want to win for him.”
The Wings appear to be sellers as the Feb. 26 trade deadline approaches, and maybe if Mrazek builds on this resurgence, it prompts interest.
Larkin shows leadership
Larkin owned up to hurting his team with two straight penalties in the second period, saying “it was two mindless mistakes 200 feet from our net. No excuse.” Larkin looked good otherwise – he swung a backhand on net that Tyler Bertuzzi turned into a 1-0 lead, and connected on a nice setup from Andreas Athanasiou to make it 3-0.
Larkin got emotional at the end as he wrapped up talking to media, making a point to praise the Devils for the pre-game tribute to USA Hockey’s Jim Johannson, who passed away on Sunday.
Larkin also said, “I’m excited for the next time I put on that USA jersey. I know it will be for him. One day, he’ll be smiling down on us as we win gold medals.”
Athanasiou shows assertiveness
What a stretch of games Athanasiou is putting together. Monday was another example where he skated and forechecked and made his line with Larkin and Bertuzzi better. It’s the third time in four games Athanasiou has put up two points.
“When he’s skating, he’s a dangerous player,” Larkin said. “He’s been good all year and now he’s winning battles and doing the right thing. The two goals our lined score were because of him.”
Athanasiou won a puck battle to set up the first goal and sent a nice pass through the slot on the third goal. He has great chemistry with Larkin, and Bertuzzi makes a nice fit because he’ll go to hard areas to retrieve the puck.
“You play with a guy like that, it’s fun,” Larkin said. “He’s going to get us pucks and he’s digging in the corners. He’s got no fear. He wants to win. I love playing with him, and he’s brought a huge edge to our line.”
High on Hicketts
Defense prospect Joe Hicketts, generously listed as 5-foot-8, made a good overall impression in his NHL debut with a big hit on Nico Hischier, and three blocked shots.
“The boys were loving it,” Larkin said. “He did awesome. He fit right in. It’s funny, you see his smile coming back to the bench with no teeth – he’s a hockey player. He loves blocking shots, loves doing things for the team. I got chills thinking about it – he was all fired up before the game, and he performed. It was really cool to watch it and see how excited he was. He had a big hit on Hischier and you didn’t really see much of Hischier for the rest of the game.
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“He played his game and that’s what he has to do to stick. As a forward it’s awesome playing with a guy like that, who moves the puck up the ice and does the little things for the team.”
Mrazek said Hicketts, “did a great job. He wasn’t afraid to hit some guys, and he had a huge block in the third period.”
Hicketts said: “I’m a guy that wants to get his nose dirty a little bit. I made a couple of mistakes, but they were on the side of aggression.”
Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Check out our Red Wings Xtra app on Apple and Android!
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