The Detroit Red Wings concluded their four-field road trip Monday night by facing the Edmonton Oilers, handing goaltender Michal Postava his first career NHL start. Postava received the call-up from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins following an injury to Daniil Tarasov.
A Memorable Debut and Shootout Success
Trust in the rookie goaltender paid off as Postava stopped 25 shots through regulation and overtime. He then denied Edmonton stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins in the shootout to seal a 4-3 comeback victory.
This achievement places Postava alongside Jimmy Howard and Petr Mrazek as the only Red Wings goaltenders to win their first NHL start over the last 25 years. Speaking to sports.yahoo.com after the game, Postava expressed his pure joy about the milestone.
“It’s amazing, I feel like a kid,” Postava stated. “I just watch all the NHL games when I was young. I just, I don’t expect that one day, I’d be one day in the net and win the game. I’m just so happy.”
Praise From Coach and Team Support
Displaying a heavy Czech accent reminiscent of former Red Wings netminder Dominik Hasek, Postava explained that his primary objective was to enjoy the moment and assist his team.
“Just go to enjoy the game and help the guys, make some saves,” he said.
Todd McLellan noted that Postava’s display mirrored his strong play with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League. McLellan pointed out that a shortened 2026-27 preseason schedule limited opportunities for young players like Postava to showcase their skills at the NHL level.
“We had a pretty good idea that Postava was what we saw tonight, and he was outstanding last year; the start to the season was really good,” McLellan explained to sports.yahoo.com.
“Unfortunately, the way the exhibition schedule is set up now, these goaltenders don’t get a lot of runway, which I think sucks for them – but yeah, we’ve liked him all along, and he’s continued to work,” McLellan added. “The goaltending coaches are very confident in him. So are the players.”
Regulation goals for Detroit came from Viktor Arvidsson and Emmitt Finnie, while Dylan Larkin tied the game with just 1:17 remaining while Postava was on the bench for an extra attacker.
The Red Wings return to Little Caesars Arena on Thursday evening to host the Chicago Blackhawks.
