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Jimmy Howard named opening day starter, does it matter?

There's an old saying that the two most popular guys in Detroit are the Lions' backup QB and the Red Wings' backup goaltender. I can't say much about the guy behind Matthew Stafford right now, but it's possible that the Wings' portion of that saying is more true right now than it has been in a long time.

Jimmy Howard is the starting goalie for the #RedWings in Friday's opener. Mrazek will start Saturday in Carolina.

— The Wheel Deal (@Bill_Roose) October 7, 2015

With Jimmy Howard being named the opening day starter, that essentially makes Petr Mrazek, the guy who won the starting job for last year's playoffs, the backup again.