Jimmy Howard looking for redemption

Detroit

Monday was supposed to be an off-day for the Red Wings, but coach Mike Babcock decided he didn't want coaches or players carrying around two losses to the Blues for an extra day.

Imagine how Jimmy Howard feels.

Howard allowed two soft goals in his season debut Saturday and now, with the next five games spaced out over 15 days, it could be a while before he gets a chance to redeem himself.

"I would love to get back out there, but I know it's probably not going to happen," Howard said. "All I can do is stay ready, and the next time I get a chance I have to play well."

This is Howard's chance. He's 25 now and supposedly had completed a five-year apprenticeship in the minors. After a mostly unspectacular camp, he allowed five goals on 33 shots Saturday.

In 10 career NHL games, Howard allowed 26 goals.

So you can understand why the organization needs to see something positive from him sooner than later.

"It's important now for Jimmy not to dwell on it," Babcock said. "Everybody lets in bad goals. (All-Star) Marty Brodeur lets in bad goals. But what he does is, he responds. He knows he's the best and he acts like he's the best. That's what you do, and that's what Howie has to do."

That's the same message Howard's gotten from starter Chris Osgood.

"Ozzie is really good at having stuff just roll off of him," Howard said. "Just watching him, his demeanor and how he stays positive really helps me."

Howard's demeanor is not unlike Osgood's; neither is wound very tight. If Howard's confidence is cracking even a little bit, he's not showing it.

"Whatever happened yesterday is in the past," Howard said. "You can't do anything about it. You just have to worry about the present and the future. I had a great day off (Sunday) and I thought I had a great practice today. I feel good."

Where's Helm?

Technically, Darren Helm (sprained AC joint in his shoulder) could return to action Thursday, but it's not likely.

"That would be a boost to everybody," Babcock said of Helm, who's been skating and taking part in drills for more than a week. "But it's important he's (fully) healthy when he does come back. The way he plays and how physical he is, we can't have him coming back early."

It seems that coming back Thursday would be just that -- too early.

"It's still not where I want it to be," Helm said. "It's coming along every day. Hopefully I will come back at the right time and not rush things."

He said he can shoot and handle the puck without any difficulty, but he's still not sure how much contact the shoulder can absorb.

Struggling Lebda benched

Turns out, the benching of Brett Lebda in the third period Saturday was a precursor.

On Monday, Babcock said Derek Meech will replace Lebda on the third defensive pairing (alongside Jonathan Ericsson ) for Thursday's home opener against Chicago, and perhaps longer.

Babcock said the move was a coach's decision.

Lebda, a minus-3 in the two games, has been struggling.

chris.mccosky@detnews.com">chris.mccosky@detnews.com (313) 222-1489