Tuesday, top Detroit Red Wings prospect Michal Postava was recognized as the best goalie in the AHL. The Grand Rapids Griffins netminder was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for October.

By Wednesday, it’s entirely possible that Postava will no longer be an AHL goalie.

As the Red Wings lost 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, they also lost netminder John Gibson. He left the game after the first period with a lower-body injury.

Daniil Tarasov came in to play the final two periods of the game. Afterward, Red Wings coach Todd McLellan was uncertain about the status of Gibson.

“I don’t have an update on that,” McLellan told reporters following the game.

He did indicate that Tarasov could expect to be a busy guy over the next several games.

“Anytime we’ve called his number, he’s come in and played really well,” McLellan said of Tarasov. “Obviously, with Gibby getting injured … he’s going to get more playing time, and we’ll see where he goes with it.”

As for a goaltending partner to join Tarasov, we’ll see where the Red Wings go with that. Logically, you would expect that they’d be going with Postava.

Postava Has Already Proven His Value To Red Wings

Called up to spell an injured Tarasov during Detroit’s previous road trip, Postava was rock solid. He made his NHL debut in relief of Gibson during a win over Vancouver.

Making his first NHL start against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, Postava won 4-3 in a shootout. He foiled all three shooters in the shootout to gain his first NHL win.

The Red Wings didn’t seem surprised at all by Postava’s stout performances in his first NHL appearances.

“He’s been playing great the whole season so far,” defenseman Moritz Seider said. “I think it was just a matter of time until he got his shot.

“And obviously he’s one of the guys who’s just really ready to go, and he seemed to be ready ever since he got here.”

With the Griffins, Postava has been posting historic numbers. Through five AHL games, Postava has a 5-0 record with a 1.20 GAA and a .955 save percentage. In the AHL rankings, he stands first in save percentage, second in GAA, and tied for first in wins.

Over his AHL career, Postava has not allowed more than three goals in any of his 30 regular-season games.