Sep 24, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Maxim Lapierre (40) scores a goal on Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) in a sudden-death overtime period using the new
Trending EVEN – Jimmy Howard
Am I cruel because the photo includes Howie getting scored on? I initially had Howard trending downward but with a stronger showing last night, Howard turned that arrow up a notch. Not to the above trending arrow that we all hope for, but it’s at least turning north instead of south.
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Howard was stellar Thursday night, stopping 34 of 35 shots in the 6-1 shellacking of Pittsburgh. Though he did give up the 3 on 3 OT goal (which I worry with so many odd man breaks it’s just an exercise in frustration for all goalies), Howard had little chance and it was another debatable no-call that led to the opportunity.
More reassuring was Howard’s presence in net. He looked confident, and even when in trouble, coolly handled every shot with the exception of one. This was a far cry from the Howard we saw on Tuesday night–looking tentative at times, and weak with the 5-hole. (Who can forget the third one?)
If this was a first step to the redemption of Jim Howard, it was a strong one. Hopefully this becomes the rule rather than the exception.
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