WASHINGTON — A little more than an hour after being selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game for the second time in his career, Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard was carted off the ice on a stretcher with what the team is calling a groin injury.
With 1:53 gone in the opening period and the Washington Capitals on the power play, Howard roamed behind his net to stop the puck. When he left it behind him, Capitals right winger Troy Brouwer scooped it up and scored on a wraparound into the unguarded net.
Howard, a former University of Maine star, scrambled to get back in his net and slammed his left skate against the post. He immediately grabbed his left leg and spent several minutes being attended to by Red Wings medical personnel.
Howard was lifted onto a stretcher and wheeled off the ice, his mask still covering his face. Red Wings backup goaltender Petr Mrazek replaced Howard between the pipes.
In 31 games this season Howard has a 16-7-7 record with a 2.08 goals-against average and .921 save percentage, with two shutouts.