Update from Friday's morning skate: The Wings recalled goaltender Jimmy Howard from Grand Rapids. Howard will back-up Ty Conklin for tonight's game against Anaheim and then make his first start of the season for Detroit Saturday in Minnesota.
Chris Osgood will not dress for at least the next two games, as the team wants to give him some time to re-focus and work on his game. Howard is expected to be sent back to Grand Rapids after Saturday's game.
"Jimmy's playing as well as he has probably at any point in his four-year (AHL) career and it's an opportunity for Chris to have 10 days to get a mental breather and clear his mind and work with (goaltending coach) Jim Bedard,'' Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "We need him to be at his best. We played him lots. When you get into bad habits early in the year, it just snowballs. My feeling is 10 days with no games, get his head cleared, work on his game and the hope is he gets back to where he was last year.''
Howard, who arrived in time for the morning skate, said he was very surprised to get the call.
"I've been playing well down there as of late,'' Howard said. "I guess it's a nice, little reward to get up here. It's always nice to get that phone call saying they want me up in Detroit.''
Howard's last game for the Wings was a 4-1 loss in Vancouver last season on Feb. 23. He is 1-4 lifetime for Detroit, posting a 2.56 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in eight appearances.
Howard got off to a slow start for the Griffins, in part due to a broken finger suffered in training camp with the Wings. But he has gotten stronger as the season has progressed. He is 15-13-4, with a 2.46 GAA and .916 save percentage.
There is one other lineup change from the last game, as Kirk Maltby goes back in for Ville Leino tonight. Coach Mike Babcock said he plans on rotating players in on the fourth line for the time being.
Chris Osgood will not dress for at least the next two games, as the team wants to give him some time to re-focus and work on his game. Howard is expected to be sent back to Grand Rapids after Saturday's game.
"Jimmy's playing as well as he has probably at any point in his four-year (AHL) career and it's an opportunity for Chris to have 10 days to get a mental breather and clear his mind and work with (goaltending coach) Jim Bedard,'' Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "We need him to be at his best. We played him lots. When you get into bad habits early in the year, it just snowballs. My feeling is 10 days with no games, get his head cleared, work on his game and the hope is he gets back to where he was last year.''
Howard, who arrived in time for the morning skate, said he was very surprised to get the call.
"I've been playing well down there as of late,'' Howard said. "I guess it's a nice, little reward to get up here. It's always nice to get that phone call saying they want me up in Detroit.''
Howard's last game for the Wings was a 4-1 loss in Vancouver last season on Feb. 23. He is 1-4 lifetime for Detroit, posting a 2.56 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in eight appearances.
Howard got off to a slow start for the Griffins, in part due to a broken finger suffered in training camp with the Wings. But he has gotten stronger as the season has progressed. He is 15-13-4, with a 2.46 GAA and .916 save percentage.
There is one other lineup change from the last game, as Kirk Maltby goes back in for Ville Leino tonight. Coach Mike Babcock said he plans on rotating players in on the fourth line for the time being.
