Jimmy Howard is finally back in the NHL.
The Detroit Red Wings recalled the veteran goaltender from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday, the parent club annnounced.
Howard has been rehabbing a knee injury that's kept him out of NHL action since Dec. 20. He suffered a pair of setbacks during his road back, but then posted two strong AHL outings in his latest rehab stint, including a shutout on Tuesday night.
Petr Mrazek has shouldered the load for Detroit in Howard's absence, and he's been spelled periodically by Jared Coreau, who'll likely be heading back to Grand Rapids on Thursday or Friday, general manager Ken Holland said, according to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.
Howard is 5-7-1 with a 1.96 GAA and .934 save percentage in 17 NHL games this season.
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