Jimmy Howard Returns to Crease Tuesday vs. Kings

According to Ansar Khan of Mlive.com, Jimmy Howard will play tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. The starting goalie, who last played on March 4th before succumbing to a lower-body injury, has the chance to put some distance between his Detroit Red Wings and the fifth seed Nashville Predators with a victory tonight. This season, Howard has posted stellar numbers against the Kings, winning both starts by allowing only three goals on 53 shots. Start him with confidence tonight.

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3/6/12: Luckily for us, Jimmy Howard made himself available to the media today and disclosed his expected timetable. According to Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press, via Twitter, Howard is hoping to get back into the lineup next Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. Of course, the Red Wings play the Kings tonight and the Predators tomorrow in which Joey MacDonald is expected to start both contests.

Those fantasy hockey owners eagerly anticipating Howard’s return should circle next Tuesday on their calendar. We should have an official confirmation on his return either Monday or Tuesday.

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After leaving yesterday’s game with a lower-body injury, Detroit Red Wings starting goalie Jimmy Howard has been ruled out of Tuesday’s tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers according to Chuck Pleiness of Red Wings Front. In the meantime, Joey MacDonald is expected to start every game with rookie Jordan Pearce backing him up.

Howard is currently listed as day-to-day.