Babcock: Red Wings will start Mrazek in Game 1

Petr Mrazek. (Keith Srakocic/AP)

So much for playoff experience.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek will start Game 1 when the club kicks off their best-of-seven series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, head coach Mike Babcock told reporters after Monday’s practice.

Jimmy Howard will be the backup.

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Sportsnet’s Damien Cox reported last month that Howard, Detroit’s long-time starter, was no longer the clear-cut No. 1 goaltender.

Mrazek started in Detroit’s final game of the regular season, making 35 saves in a 2-0 shutout win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

In his last start against the Lightning, Mrazek made 23 saves in a 4-0 victory on March 28.

The 23-year-old goalie went 16-9-2 with a .918 save percentage and 2.38 goals-against average in 29 games this season.

He has never started a post-season game in his brief NHL career.

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