Reports: Jimmy Howard out 2-4 weeks with slight groin tear

By @MichaelCaples –

Jimmy Howard will be missing some time, but it could have been worse.

The Red Wings’ starting goaltender has a slight groin tear, GM Ken Holland told members of the media today. The Red Wings are in Buffalo today for a game against the Sabres.

Howard was injured in Detroit’s Saturday game at Washington – he played just 1:53 before being removed on a stretcher.

Tom McCollum has been recalled from Grand Rapids to back up Petr Mrazek while the Red Wings deal with injuries to both Howard and Jonas Gustavsson.

Howard was the lone member of the Red Wings selected to the NHL All-Star Game – he will now be missing those festivities. The injury does come at an opportune time for the Wings, as Detroit will have a full week off between their Jan. 20 and Jan. 27 games.

The Wings’ starting netminder currently holds a 16-7-7 record with a .920 save percentage and 2.11 goals-against average.