the season, and Howard was in goal for three consecutive big wins in early April that put Detroit in position to get into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He played the final five games of the season and allowed more than two goals twice in his final seven starts.

Mrazek played in the playoffs last spring because of an injury to Howard and more than held his own. This year, it could be Howard who plays in the playoffs after Mrazek was Detroit's No. 1 goaltender for much of the regular season.

COACHES

Lightning: Things have been a little more challenging for Cooper in his third full season with Tampa Bay. He's had to answer a lot of questions about the Lightning's inconsistency on offense; especially on the power play.

But Cooper justwins; he's won everywhere he's been. He has coached championship teams in the North American Hockey League, the United States Hockey League and the American Hockey League. He signed a multiyear contract extension with the Lightning in December.

Cooper has stressed defensive responsibility much more this season; the Lightning aren't the free-wheeling offensive team they were in the past. It's a strategy he hopes will pay off in the postseason, where the games are tighter and scoring will be at a premium.

Red Wings: Detroit's run of playoff appearances, now at 25 and counting, did not end under the supervision of Jeff Blashill, who replaced Mike Babcock this season.

While Blashill's system is similar in most ways to that of Babcock, who departed to join the Toronto Maple Leafs, it is