"The Red Wings' backup goaltending position is up for grabs.

Jimmy Howard is obviously the starter, or will be again after he recovers from a broken right index finger that'll keep him out for the next couple weeks.

Ty Conklin or Joey MacDonald could lay claim to the back-up job, unless general manager Ken Holland decides to find a reinforcement before the Feb. 27 trade deadline.

"Absolutely," said coach Mike Babcock of whether the competition is wide open after Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss in Edmonton. "Somebody has to win games. We have to win games.""