Jimmy Howard: “Last year is behind me”

 

By Dave Waddell – 

Forgetting a bad game quickly is right up there among the key rules in the goalies’ manual for survival.

But forgetting a disappointing season isn’t nearly as easy when the next campaign doesn’t come for months.

That’s why no one is more eager to get things going tonight than Detroit Red Wings’ netminder Jimmy Howard.

After making steady progress in the NHL – even earning a spot in an NHL All-Star Game and a berth on the U.S. Olympic Team – Howard had a winter of discontent in 2013-14.

“Most definitely,” Howard responded about his eagerness to regain his form.

“The previous two years I set the bar pretty high for myself. I keep reaching for that bar and pushing it a little bit higher.

“Last year was a hugely disappointing not having the consistency night in and night out. Last year is behind me. Can’t really do anything about it now and now I can just look forward to the future and I can’t wait for October 9.

“Everything starts at zeros.”

Just how out of sorts Howard was last season is illustrated by the fact he didn’t rate in the top 10 of any goalie statistics other than overtime appearances.

The U.S. NTDP product posted a .910 save percentage (36th in the league) and a 2.66 goals-against average (33rd). His 19 defeats in regulation time are the most of his career in single season as was another 11 defeats in overtime.

In contrast, Howard had posted solid .923 and .920 save percentages in each of his previous two seasons. He also had a stingy 2.13 goals-against average in both of those campaigns.

Not surprisingly, Howard has had plenty of motivation during those long, often tedious summer workouts.

“We did a lot more corrective exercises this summer with my trainer,” said Howard, who also battled the injury bug last year. “Pulling my shoulders back, trying to get everything corrected (with) alignment so my body moves more efficiently out on the ice.

“I worked with Joe Neal at 2SP in Madison Heights. That’s who I’ve worked with in the couple of years and I’ve been very happy with it.”

Howard said he’s pleased with how things are progressing in preseason so far.

In his first two pre-season appearances covering five periods, the 30-year-old had a sterling .946 save percentage and 1.81 goals-against average.

“The biggest thing probably for a goalie is traffic with the guys moving in front of you,” said Howard of preseason work. “You don’t really get that in scrimmages or practices so the first two games that’s still been a little bit of a challenge of maintaining your eye on the puck in the shin pad area. You just continue to battle finding pucks and eventually it comes.”

If personal redemption isn’t enough of a motivator, Howard only has to look around the dressing room to find it.

Back-up Jonas Gustavvson won nearly as many games as Howard last season and top prospect Petr Mrazek is pushing hard to stay in Detroit.

“Whenever you have competition within the organization it’s healthy,” Howard said. “You can’t take anything for granted in this sport. As soon as you do that, this game will chew you up and spit you out.

“We have to constantly get better and that’s how I approach every single day.”

Of course Howard’s struggles and dipping numbers weren’t solely the creation of his own play.

The Wings’ defense was shambolic at times last season.

Detroit is still looking for a top-four defenseman, but in the meantime eyes in training camp have turned to assessing the young blueliners making the push for a permanent Motown address.

“They’ve been doing an excellent job,” said Howard, singling out Alexey Marchenko and Xavier Ouellet with Ryan Sproul sidelined with a shoulder ailment. “Out of all of them, I think, Ouellet has looked the best. He just looks ready. He’s very calm with the puck. He’s making the plays that are given to him.

“He’s not trying to force anything, and he’s gritty. He gets into the corner and he doesn’t back down. He’s not the biggest guy out there so it’s fun to see.”

Howard said at this stage of their development, he doesn’t discriminate in what he expects from rookie or veterans during games.

“It’s all the same,” said Howard of perhaps talking more to younger players. “We try to use the same terminology out there. Try to eliminate the mistakes as much as possible.

“They’re learning on the go, so sometimes you have to come up with a save for them.”