Dominik Hasek is out day-to-day with minor inflamation of his hip flexor. The Red Wings recalled Jimmy Howard from the Grand Rapids Griffins and put defenseman Niklas Kronwall (shoulder) on injured reserve (retroactive to Jan. 30) to make roster room.
Chris Osgood will get his second consecutive start, Tuesday, in Nashville (8 p.m., FSN) with Howard backing him up.
Howard has appeared in 39 games this year for the Griffins, compiling a 17-19-2 record with a 2.61 GAA and .914 save percentage. He was named the AHL Goaltender of the Month for December when he posted a 1.72 GAA, .939 save percentage, two shutouts and allowed two or fewer goals in 10 of 13 games played.
The timing is interesting. Coach Mike Babcock said earlier this season that he would rotate Osgood and Hasek until the 60-game mark. Tomorrow night's game in Nashville is Game 59.
It looked like everything was in place for Hasek to be the playoff goalie. He was playing better, Osgood was playing worse than earlier in the season.
The team is saying that Hasek's shelving is precautionary and he could be back for Sunday's game in Dallas. If he only misses a few days, Hasek should still be the playoff goalie. If this injury, however, lingers or affects his performance ... then Osgood will be the spring starter.