Howard made 34 saves in a 4-3 overtime win over the Panthers on Saturday night.

EDGE Analysis

It was his first win of the season. It's going to be a long, long season for Howard. The Wings are young and make plenty of mistakes. Howard isn't good enough to bail them out on a regular basis. Use at your own risk.

Howard will start versus the Panthers on Saturday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Panthers have averaged 25 shots on goal per game, and they've made the most of their opportunities with a 52.08 Corsi For percentage as a team. On the other hand, Howard is still searching for his first win in five appearances, despite recording above a .920 save percentage in three of those games. The offensive support is tough to come by for Howard, so he's a risky daily option.

Howard only allowed two goals on 30 shots from the Lightning on Thursday, but the Red Wings still suffered a 3-1 road loss.

EDGE Analysis

This was easily Howard's best start of the season, as he limited the damage from one of the most feared offenses in the NHL. Still, the veteran netminder owns a 0-3-2 record, 3.57 GAA and .893 save percentage through five games, and the Red Wings are off to their worst start in over 30 years. Explore all possible options before feeling like you have to rely on Detroit's chief goalie.

Howard will start between the pipes in Thursday's road game against the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has struggled early on this season, compiling an 0-2-2 record while posting an ugly 4.00 GAA and .883 save percentage in four appearances. The American netminder will look to snap his four-game losing streak while also earning his first victory of the campaign in a tough road matchup with a Lightning club that's 3-1-0 at home this season.

Howard allowed five goals on 20 shots and was removed during the second period in Monday's 7-3 loss to Montreal.

EDGE Analysis

It was undoubtedly a night to forget for Howard, who really never put any momentum together. He coughed up three goals in the first period and two in the first five minutes of the second before being relieved in favor of Jonathan Bernier. Howard should remain the No. 1 goalie in Detroit for now, but mostly because Bernier has been even worse to start the year. It might be safe to avoid the Red Wings goalie situation until the team picks things up.

Howard will get the start on the road against the Canadiens on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Given what a disaster Jonathan Bernier was Saturday, this isn't surprising. Howard posted a 2.85 GAA and .910 save percentage last season, and this year has been more of the same. The 34-year-old has a 2.90 GAA and .910 save percentage through three starts.

Howard will be in the blue paint against the Maple Leafs in a home start Thursday, Dave Hogg of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard is seeking his first win of the young season, but this is an awful matchup for the Red Wings (at least on paper). Not only is Toronto's Auston Matthews up to seven goals and 10 points through four games, but the Buds have converted 5 of 10 power-play chances in the early going. Considering there will be three rookies on Detroit's blue line and legitimate questions about how Niklas Kronwall (undisclosed) will look in his season debut, Howard could be in a for a long night at Little Caesar's Arena. Steer clear of him if you can.

Howard saved 25 of 27 shots from the Ducks in Monday's (3-2) shootout road loss.

EDGE Analysis

Howard was beaten glove side by defenseman Hampus Lindholm in the second period, and then forward Jakob Silfverberg snuck one past him in the third, scooping up a rebound on the doorstep. Rookie center Troy Terry, who was robbed of a goal by Howard in regulation, exacted revenge with a game-winning goal in the shootout. Speaking of rookies, the Wings are icing six of them early on this season, which doesn't bode well for Howard's chances of winning games. Still, he's' 0-0-2 with impressive ratios (2.36 GAA and .924 save percentage) so it could be a lot worse for the veteran.

Howard will be the road starter against the Ducks on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

No surprise here, given that Jonathan Bernier started Sunday night against the Kings. Last year, Howard had a 2.85 GAA and .910 save percentage, and this season the Wings are breaking in a lot of young players, especially on defense. On the other hand, the Ducks will be without Ryan Getzlaf (lower body), Ryan Kesler (hip), and Corey Perry (knee), so they are far from full strength as well.

Howard will see shots from the Blue Jackets in the home opener Thursday, Gregg Krupa of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Howard has spent his entire career in Detroit (12 seasons), so we can take his historical numbers against Columbus as a rough gauge of how he might perform in this first game. He's gone 12-6-5 with a 2.00 GAA and .928 save percentage over 26 career appearances against the cross-conference club.