Red Wings G Howard out 2-4 weeks

Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard has a sprained MCL in his knee that will cause him to miss 2-4 weeks of action, Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said, according to the Detroit News.

Howard, who is just 6-8-7 with a 2.65 goals-against average and .910 save percentage, could miss as many as 12 games if he is sidelined the entire four weeks.

It could jeopardize his chances of playing in the 2014 Winter Classic, when the Red Wings take on the Maple Leafs at the University of Michigan.

Jonas Gustavsson will be the Red Wings' No. 1 goalie in Howard's absence, with Petr Mrazek as his backup.

Gustavsson has an 8-1-2 record with a 1.92 goals-against average and .933 save percentage this season.