With Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard out for 2-3 weeks with a groin injury, a vacant spot has opened up in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game for a netminder.
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The Red Wings announced that Howard (16-7-7, 2.11 goals-against average, .920 save percentage) will not be able to participate in the All-Star Game on Jan. 25 at the Nationwide Arena, the home rink of the Columbus Blue Jackets, due to the injury.
With Howard not appearing at the game, here are three potential goaltenders to replace him in the NHL's showcase game later this month.
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3) Henrik Lundqvist: The New York Rangers backstop has been on a role lately, which is a good reason why the club has won 13 of its last 14 games. Lundqvist, 32, became the first player in NHL history to win 20 games in his first 10 NHL seasons with a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.
Lundqvist is 20-8-3 this season with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage while ranking second in the NHL with five shutouts.
2) Jaroslav Halak: The New York Islanders netminder has arguably been the MVP of the team through the first half of the season and could be deserving of a spot in the All-Star Game. Halak, 29, is a huge reason why the Isles sit atop the Metropolitan Division right now with a 28-13-1 overall record.
Halak is 22-8-0 this season with a 2.29 GAA and .914 save percentage. His 22 victories rank tied for third in the NHL while he is also tied for third in the league with three shutouts this season.
1) Marc-Andre Fleury: The Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender has been a rock for them through the first half of the season and could be considered an All-Star snub if he doesn't replace Howard in the game later this month. Fleury has kept the Penguins at a steady 25-10-6 and in second place in the Metropolitan Division.
Fleury, 30, ranks fourth in the NHL with 21 wins and has lost just 11 games with four coming in an overtime or shootout. Fleury also paces the NHL with six shutouts and has put together a 2.16 GAA and a .926 save percentage.
These three netminders could make viable backups to Howard when the NHL All-Star Game is presented live on Jan. 25 from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
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