Red Wings goalie Petr Mrazek knocked out of game vs. Utah, won't return

The Detroit Red Wings are essentially in "must-win" mode for the rest of the year if they have any hopes of breaking their franchise record 9 year postseason drought.

Already ravaged by injuries coming into tonight's game against the Utah Hockey Club, that list just grew longer.

A collision between Utah forward Dylan Guenther and Red Wings goaltender Petr Mrazek resulted in the latter immediately leaving the game with an injury; he was replaced by Alex Lyon, who hadn't played since Mrazek was re-acquired by Detroit on March 7.

Minutes ago, the Red Wings confirmed that Mrazek will not return to tonight's game, which is Detroit's 1st ever visit to Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Somehow, the Utah Hockey Club ended up with a power play, and to add insult to injury, it was Guenther who scored on the 1st shot that Lyon faced to give them a 1-0 lead.

Mrazek has had a history of injury troubles dating back to a thumb injury he suffered while with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2020-21.

He was then limited to 20 games in his 1st and only year with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2021-22 thanks to a lower body injury.

Since being re-acquired by the Red Wings from the Chicago Blackhawks, Mrazek has gone 2-2 with a 2.51 GAA and a shutout.

If he's going to be unavailable for an extended period, the Red Wings will have to move forward with the tandem of Lyon and Cam Talbot.