Goalie Nods: Unlikely Choice

Despite the fact that the Detroit Red Wings have been on one of their better stretches of the 2016-2017 regular season schedule in amassing eight out of a possible 10 points in their last five games, it appears that a goaltending controversy seems to nevertheless remain. 

With Jimmy Howard being recently placed on the long-term injured reserve due to a nagging knee injury, both Petr Mrazek and Jared Coreau have been competing for the role of number one goaltender. While Mrazek's stats have been unspectacular thus far- he boasts a 3.13 goals-against average and a.895 save percentage- the Czech netminder has averaged a SV% of .9195 over his last two starts. 

Meanwhile, Coreau's 2.79 goals-against average and .904 save percentage this year are only slightly better, even if he has gone from a shutout (1.00 SV%) to a .625 and more recently, .947 SV% against the New York Rangers on January 22nd. With that in mind, head coach Jeff Blashill has named Coreau his starter for tomorrow night's Atlantic Division matchup versus the Boston Bruins: 

Coreau will get a chance to solidify himself as the team's current number one goalie as long as Howard remains injured, and the team will count on him to provide a winning outing in order to gain some grounds in the ongoing playoff race. The Red Wings are currently only four points out of the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference, and they hope to gain some grounds using the momentum they've garnered over their last five games. 

SEE ALSO: How Coreau could push Mrazek out of Detroit via trade.