Goalie Jimmy Howard back in uniform for Columbus game

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – It’s a nice problem to have for any coach.

But it’ll be interesting to see how coach Jeff Blashill manages two goaltenders who are healthy and playing well and deserving of steady work.

Jimmy Howard was activated off the injured list Wednesday, his groin injury sufficiently healed, and he’ll be in uniform Friday against Columbus.

But will it be Howard or Petr Mrazek who’ll get the call?

Mrazek has seemingly regained his balance and is playing close to the way expected of the No. 1 starter he was expected to be at the beginning of the season.

Mrazek overcame a shaky first period Tuesday to make several fine saves late, then was the difference in overtime  - where Mrazek made two game-saving saves – and in the shootout, where he led the Red Wings to an eventual 4-3 victory.

No doubt, Mrazek was one of the keys in Tuesday’s rally and win.

“Petr is good at hanging in there in rough games,” Blashill said. “We got down early and he did a real good job of making saves and keeping it at 3-1 and getting it to 3-2 and then 3-3, and obviously late in the game he made huge saves both in regulation and in overtime and in the shootout.”

Blashill doesn’t see having two No. 1-caliber goalies as a problem.

“I’ve said from the onset this year we’ve got two real good goalies and we’re going to need them,” Blashill said. “Actually, three (goalies) with Jared Coreau (who was sent back to Grand Rapids with Howard activated), and this is how the season goes. Ultimately you need to rely on your depth.”

Howard missed six games after injuring his groin Nov, 25 in New Jersey.

Howard stood third in the NHL Wednesday in both goals-against average (1.82) and save percentage (.940), while possessing a 5-5-0 record.

Mrazek is 8-5-3 with a 2.84 GAA and .908 save percentage.

Mrazek overcame some sloppy play in front of him and one redirect in the first period to frustrate the Jets the rest of the game.

 “That’s how hockey is,” said Mrazek of the difficult first period being turned completely around. “We got the next one (goal, in the second period), tied the game and that was huge.”

Goal-scoring slumps

Tomas Tatar and Thomas Vanek both ending goal-scoring slumps Tuesday with goals.

Tatar’s goal was his first since Nov. 20 (ending a seven-game drought), and second goal and in the last 13 games.

Vanek hadn’t scored in eight games since missing 11 games with a hip injury.

“Vanek’s been playing good, he hasn’t scored but he’s been pointing,” said Blashill, noting Vanek had four assists during the eight-game goal-scoring drought. “With Tats, specifically, Tats had lots of chances. It’'s important to score, it just reiterates that you're playing good hockey and he’s been playing good hockey and getting chances.

“But certainly scorers like to score, it gives them a lot of confidence.”

Ice chips

Along with Coreau – who played one game, the loss in Pittsburgh – forward Tomas Nosek was returned to Grand Rapids. Nosek didn’t get into the game while up with the Red Wings.

…The Red Wings were off Wednesday.

…Blashill said forward Andreas Athanasiou (knee) could be ready for a full practice Thursday, meaning he could be ready to play at some point during the upcoming five-game homestand.

Defenseman Alexey Marchenko (shoulder) also has been increasing his workload in practice.

Defenseman Brian Lashoff, who has replaced Ryan Sproul the last two games, was not sent back to Grand Rapids and will remain on the roster.