Red Wings' Petr Mrazek: Will work between pipes Thursday

Mrazek will command the crease Thursday night in the season road opener against the Lightning.

Analysis:

The Red Wings gave veteran backstop Jimmy Howard every opportunity to take the team deep into the playoffs last season, but he underwhelmed in the first two games against the Lightning in the conference quarterfinals, and Mrazek finished out the postseason as the No. 1 backstop and hasn't looked back. Mrazek should be used to the daily grind, having participated in both the World Cup of Hockey and preseason action.