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DETROIT -- Red Wings coach Mike Babcock has removed the mystery surrounding who will be his starting goaltender for the playoffs, naming 23-year-old Petr Mrazek as his starter against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mrazek got the nod over incumbent Jimmy Howard, who struggled down the stretch as the Red Wings scrambled to secure a playoff spot. Game 1 is Thursday in Tampa at 7:30 p.m.  "It's their decision. I'm happy for that, and I'll do my best," said Mrazek, a native of the Czech Republic. "It's a huge chance." Mrazek went 16-9-2 with a .918 save percentage and 2.38 goals-against average this season in 29 games for the Red Wings. "I just think he's a competitive guy. He's done some winning in the past. I like what he's done for us thus far," Babcock said following Monday's practice. "I think he's going to relish the opportunity." Babcock conceded the risk that comes with choosing a starting goalie without NHL playoff experience over Howard, who has a career 21-24 playoff record with a .919 save percentage and 2.53 goals-against average. Howard was named an All-Star this season but never found his game after returning from injury. After the All-Star break, the veteran goalie was 7-6-4 with an .896 save percentage. "[Devils president] Lou Lamoriello has an unbelievable rule: Don't confuse the player and the person," Babcock said. "What I try to do is take the emotion out of it. I try to take the information I have by watching games and talking to our staff and make a decision that's best for the team." Mrazek won a Calder Cup in 2013 with Detroit's AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, beating Tampa's affiliate in the final. That series featured players Mrazek will face in the first round, including Lightning standouts Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat.
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