Well, simply by playing the way Jimmy Howard has been playing thus far through three games. Howard has given his team a chance to win in each and every game thus far of the playoffs. Of the 10 goals that Howard has given up over three games, a substantial number of them have been breakdowns in front of him.
The first goal, a result of the five-minute major to Justin Abdelkader, featured his entire penalty-killing unit far too high on the ice, leaving Corey Perry and Nick Bonino too wide open right in front of the net.
Howard was left on an island on the next goal, as Damien Brunner turned the puck over on a power play right in front of the net. Howard went for the poke check and missed.
The third and fourth goals were a result of defensemen not staying with their men while going to the net, resulting in tap-in goals before Howard could get set to face the shooter.
Howard has played much better than his playoff numbers would indicate. He was leaned upon substantially in the regular season after Nick Lidstrom retired and Brad Stuart departed last offseason.
He has, contrary to what his numbers would suggest, been one of the Red Wings' hottest players so far in this playoff series.
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