Red Wings' Petr Mrazek: Protecting net Friday

Mrazek will start in the blue paint Friday night against the visiting Blue Jackets.

Analysis:

Mrazek is getting progressively better as the season wears on. After a subpar October for which he posted a 2.94 GAA in seven starts, the Czech tender trimmed that rate to 2.87 last month and hasn't taken a regulation loss in three December outings. However, alternate goalie Jimmy Howard is nearing his return from a groin injury, so the hope for Mrazek's owners is that these two guys can co-exist and be productive in a timeshare. The two-headed monster system in goal doesn't always yield the best results (just look at the current situation in Dallas), so from a fantasy standpoint, it may be wise to link Howard and Mrazek and ride the hot hand.