Gustavsson to start with Red Wings on brink of elimination

Goaltender Jonas Gustavsson will make his second consecutive start in net for the Detroit Red Wings this Saturday afternoon in Boston for Game 5 in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Game time is set for 3 p.m. at TD Garden as Detroit looks to avoid elimination, being down 3-1 in the series.

Jimmy Howard was supposed to start in goal for his fourth consecutive game in the series Thursday night until he came down with the flu. Red Wings head coach Mike Babcock was told that Howard wasn't available, so Gustavsson made his NHL playoff debut and made 37 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss in Game 4.

Howard did not practice on Friday and Babcock confirmed that Gustavsson would get the start in Game 5. Babcock said, if well enough, Howard will be available for backup duty.