Dynheart

It's a figure of speech Thinking he's the best player under and over the sun that can score on command so he just shoots it without even thinking pass when the play CALLS for one.

Without a doubt it's Vesa Toskala. But seriously, I'd say Lids. The man plays D like no other and with the exception of the last season and this one, he could score more than most teams top line scorers could. The man has friggin' eagle eyes (shooting throuch 10 people/sticks/stakes and still makes it to the net). Barely misses games, plays a disciplined game AND has a strong leadership quality. I would have said Yzerman, but he really didn't finish out the decade, so my vote is for Lids.

Been watching hockey for years and I can tell you this is going to be bad news for the Blackhawks. Right now they are just tearin' it up. Even the 3rd and 4th liners are tearin' it up. Why? Chemistry my friends, a very underrated part of the game. Now Add Hossa to the mix, lines will change...chemistry broken. And the way the hawks been playing this year (reminds me of the redwings pre 09-10) with lots of passing, tearing apart defense and making the goalies life a living hell with top quality shots...Hossa will not fit. He didn't fit here, he wont fit there. And if you ask me, he's to far into his career to change his style of play. The dude is a friggin' puck hog, thinks he can shot and score, with his eyes shut mind you, better than jesus himself. There really isn't any team play in his game. It's: Get puck> carry puck by myself through 5 people> lose puck> goes to bench...OR Get puck> carry puck by myself through 5 people> Hey, I made it past them> shoot> realizes the puck didn't go in net> goes to bench He really does set up well on the rush. He needs a Zets type player so he can join the rush all willy nilly (which is hardly the case since he hogs the puck). But even then, when they set him up, he'll just shoot...not pass. The above is the main reason why I think Hossa wont do well with the Hawks. Over there they play a team game, Not a one star player game which he's used to playing...even over here in Detroit he played that way. We'll see, though.

Goaltending is not an issue this year. Both Ozzie and Howard have been doing more than their fair share of keeping this team in games (with the exception of a few games for both, but apparently to some that's enough to justify both being burned like the witches of old). With the exception of 2 games (where we scored 9 and 7), we have been absolutley HORRIBLE offensively. Do I have to mention defense, which IMO, is doing worse than the offense. I'm sorry to break it to all these Ozzie/Howard haters, but no matter who is in net for this team atm...we will still probably have the same record. Both of our goalies have stole several games for us, and I think it's unfair for the fanbase to expect them to steal a game every game night. I agree with an above poster, goaltending is our #3 problem, and since this game consist of basically 4 part on the ice (Offense, Defense, Goaltending, Coaching)... The best defense is the best offense imo. The more you keep it out of our zone the better. The defense shouldn't be turning it over everytime they touch the puck in OUR zone...As for goaltending last night, IMO Ozzie didn't let in one weak goal. You take a hot team, an open man who can basically count to 5 before he can shoot...without anybody to bother him (no defense). That means he can point, look, take his time and beat ANY goal tender. I think alot of people under estimate what an offensive player in the NHL can really do when they have atleast 5 seconds to shoot a freakin' puck (by the way, both shots Erat was WAYYY open for WAYYY to long and was set up for a quick one timer). But oh well, people will believe they are NHL coaches/GMs and think that a pefectly placed slap shot easily going 90-95mph and hitting, just barely the top left corner and barely crossing the line...is a weak goal...lol As for injuries, we are going to struggle hardcore this year. We'll make the play-offs for sure, but we wont be a top seed. If holland/babcock were smart, they would rest the injured till they were 100000000% health so that way we can make a strong play off appearance.

Just wanted to add yes there were big saves...but 3 on 1 = a goal most of the time, a goal 100% of the time when it's only Lebda and he's screening Ozzie. Ozzie did his part, the D and the poor forechecking is what killed us. As I said in an other thread, you can't expect Ozzie to cover as much as the other goalies, especially the monster...(The guy is taller, if not almost, than Ozzie ON HIS KNEES). Ozzie is a small goalie...you have a 3 on 1 he can't just sit there... Meh, I'm not going to explain...It's either Ozzie sucks or Ozzie didn't do anything to win the game. As I said before, I feel bad for the guy because of the fanbase.

I feel bad for Ozzie. Right when he got things on track the team in front of him takes a dump. I made some crazy good saves to keep the wings in it, but turn over after turn over...did we even get 20 shots on net? How many 3-1s did we give them? How many screens did Lebda create infront of Osgood? My god. I can't help but think 90% of the boad is going to blame Ozzie for this...I'm going to blame the D and the poor forechecking (created no pressure and made "the monsters" life easy). Whateve...time to move on.

I agree 100%...but this is Lebda's 10,000th time assisting the other team by park his ass in front of the goalie and screening. You would think Lids would have rubbed off on him by now. Hell, even Stuart is stepping it up.

Sloppy defense...sloppy sloppy sloppy. Ozzie playing solid enough screened (by Lebda...go figure), 2nd funny ass bounce, but the defense seems to be just sitting there. I hope Babcock yells some sense into them...I'm not saying the leafs are bad, but geez...we just played the sharks, possibly the best in the league atm...eh EDIT: Get rid of Lebda...seriously. He screens our goalie better than the other teams 100% of the time.

I can see that Zets goal shouldn't have counted...seriously...we lucked out, but in all honesty I've watch 2-3 games so far this season (Pheonix being the most memerable) where Ozzie HAD the puck, pushed Had it again, pushed then the opposing team tips it in. 10 second scrum on top of Ozzie on almost every play in the norm nowadays...a little luck our way/karma doesn't hurt...heh

I still can't understand why people want to seperate the goalie from the team...They are on the same team I believe...right...RIGHT? Ever since hockey was invented defense was the biggest part of preventing goals...not the goalie. The goalie is there because if the defense messes up you need someone there to back stop ya. I don't know, maybe it's me...but when I see the 'nucks defense break down, the great Luo lets in 7 goals. Same can be said for Broduer...D breaks down all the sudden he lets in 5 pucks. People for some reason think the goalies are supposed to be Mr. Fantastic like and stretch across the crease, abnormally I might add, and stop every puck. They can't, and when they do...it's luck. Now to be lucky you have to be good. With Ozzie, I've seen this guy miss the puck by 1/2 an inch, maybe 1 inch a million times...Unfortunately he's as small as they come as far as goalies are concerned...and to miss the puck from a quick cross crease pass and one time by 1/2 an inch doesn't sound like he was out of position, but just to small...this is where the D needs to help Ozzie. Know your goalies weakness and help him. Hang him out to dry, you make him look bad...it goes hand and hand... As for his five hole. Ozzie has always been a stand up style goaltender. It only a couple of years ago that he started the butterfly...but look at Broduer, probably the best since Roy...he's about as close to stand up style your gonna get nowadays...and his weakness is five hole. I've seen countless Broduer threads and they complain about his five hole...I think Ozzie play closer to Brodeur style then most might think...and his weakness is five hole. Coincidence? I believe Ozzie is still one of the best goalies positionally (explains the boring saves opposed to looking like a ninja when makingsimple saves, top five in the league with his glove hand and top five (possibly top 3) with handling the puck. He actually creates offense, not something you see but from a few (broduer, turco to name a few). End of the day I still think Ozzie is a outstanding goaltender for his size (bigger advantage than most think around here), and he should NOT be traded.

Exactly. Ozzie is an outstanding goaltender...but not really elite. Luongo and Brodeur are the exception to the rules really. Fans should lower their expectations and not expect elite goaltender/players all the time...that's what makes those players elite, and if everybody was elite...can you imagine the scores? 10-14 etc etc...no matter the goalie. Ozzie is a great goalie, get's the job done...not to mention the guy is tiny compared to 99% of the goal tenders. So he has to rely on positioning, and if the defense fails him, no amount of acrobatics is going to make up for a 5-8 inch disadvantage that other goalies have on him. I would also like to point out that he is a stand up goalie, butterflies sometime...but that's when he let's in five hole goals. And with todays NHL, stand up goalie style is prolly the hardest style to play as. Just food for thought. Anyway, Ozzie is going no where!

It's funny. I read in this thread and see alot of "he has one good game"...just goes to show you that the wing fans expect shutouts from their goalies to have a good game. What about the game before? Or against the Phoenix (let in ONE bad goal), or Chicago...Washington? The rest of the games he was just "good" with the exception of 2 games...the first game and against the 'nucks. I say he's playing leaps and bounds better than he did last year, almost as good as 07-08 season. Plus, it is a team sport, right? the defense shouldn't let the forwards on the other team to have yummy chances, especially against a small goal tender (I believe ozzie is the smallest in the league)...which, if you ask me, for his size Ozzie is a great goaltender. I believe that's why he's really aggressive this year...but of course fans knock on him for that as well. Playing for the wings has got to be the among the worst teams to play for...not because of the franchise, but because of the fans...

Holy crap they just came back from being down 4 goals...worked their ass off...PLUS a man down. Top that with OT...they had to friggin tired. Take the point and move on. we've been playing wings hockey last three games...couple more we'll be back in buisness.

Why? Because he had 1 bad season...which was last season? He's been solid through out his career, a couple downer seasons, but that's it. Even the great Brodeur has a few bad seasons under his belt...and look at Ward after he won the cup....And look at the great Luongo now...

I feel bad for Ozzie, hell, any red wing goalie for that matter. The fans act like they know how to play better than an NHL goaltender...Just in case you prople haven't noticed, but scoring has gone UP, yes up. You want more goals but want the goalies to stop them all at the same time? You guys make no sense. As far as Ozzie's play this year, he's been much better than last year. He's had 2 bad games, 2 stellar games and the rest were just solid goaltending. What escapes me is how you all can sit here and put a loss on the goaltender (last game would have been the exception if we lost) but I've seen Ozzie make 3-4 shots back to back several times a game...in the 3rd...to win a game, or take into OT...and it's his fault we lose? I thought it was the defense' job to make sure they get one shot and one shot only, not 3, 4 or 5 shots in a 20 second period. Also, isn't it the shooters job to score? Works both ways. Imo, Overall Ozzie has been solid. 2 bad games his first game and his last game so far. But he's getting old, and I don't care what people say...hockey is prolly the most taxing sport there is, let alone the goalie postion (which experts say is most likley the toughest postion to play in pro sports, hockey goaltending is)...We should be giving him props for making saves like the one on OV, or the back to back saves in Chicago at his age. Lastly, to all the people who say OMG he sucks look at Broduer, Roy and Luongo they don't suck (look at the friggin goalies you are comparing Ozzie to...compliment???). These are elites...they are called that for a reason. If everyone was elite, then there wouldn't be Sawchuck, or Gordie or Gretzky...they would be just solid players like the rest...Like I said before, in other posts, to 99% of the fanbase thinks we lose because of Ozzie (any red wing goalie really), and win in spite of him. If we win "it's a team sport", if we lose "ozzie sucks". If you ask me, this fan base has gone down hill and might as well join the canadian teams (no offense canadiens, but you guys are very harsh on your teams players) and bash every player, hell, why not boo them in your own rink on national television! EDIT: Mindfly, pretty much the entire red wing org, hell, pretty much the entire NHL recognizes Osgood as being a great/clutch goaltender. He's a Play-off goalie to boot...I think they know much more than you considering they actually play/played the game. He's going through a bad era atm (prolly age is finally catching up). But he's not in top 10 wins because of the wings...even conklin said the media needed to back off and didn't know what they were talking about. And he was right, Ozzie nearly took the wings to a back to back cup.

Ozzie has been awesome so far this season. He's had 1 bad game...St Louis game... Ozzie has been absolutley fantasitc 3 out of 5...and against the sabres, he kept us in it until the wings had a total meltdown in the second. Shouln't have been 0-1 after the first. Honestly, though, even brodouer/Luongo coun't have bailed out the wings against the sabres...no goalie could have... Chicago, we had NO buisness winning that game, out shot AND out played. Washington was a goaltender battle, and both goalies that game faces some awesome scoreing chances...both goal tenders, IMO, were the players of the game (I look at the quality of the shots, not the qualtity)...And against LA, Ozzie kept us in it/help the fort when LA was pissed and was pushing hard after they gave up a 1-0 lead. So IMO, Ozzie has better than "flash of brilliance and mostly mediocre"...He's a big reason why the wings won the only games they have won. Keep in mind, all 6 games have been struggles for the team... we are basically getting out played, out hussled...basically at just about every aspect of the game for 6 games straight.... LA was our first "decent" game, and look at the quality of the shots being set up against him...

I really don't understand this logic. Realistically speaking, a 5 on 0 = a goal 99.9% of the time. Add 3 or 4 useless bodies that do nothing but stand still and screen...how do you expect any goalie to perform under that type of situation? Ozzie's first game this season, yea he played bad...rightfully so. Hardly played in the pre-season, new equipment and rusty. Top that with him getting 1 year older. All you young folks will soon find out no matter how much you keep in shape, you can't beat the clock. Also, we had no reason beating Chicago. They out shot and out played us...we won. Why? Goaltending. Washington...that was a toss up, and a goal tender match. Both goalies were facing excellent and quality chances. Goaltending held out. Buffalo. Ozzie didn't play bad really. He tried to keep the wings in the game with some crazy ass saves, but to no avail. You really can't expect a goalie to stop every 2 or 3 on 0...let alone 5 in one period. Sounds like a defense problem. Many people say "I can't stand Wings fans"...funny really, I'm one of them. Most of you act like they are supposed to be perfect and score every time they shoot, or block every shot. WHich is hypicritical in a way. How is ok for us to be able to score on command on great goal tenders, but Ozzie isn't aloud to give any at all? Blah...

It's funny how black and white people think here. I know it's goaltenders job to stop the puck, but it's the scorers job to score...If a puck get's past a goalie from a scorer he sucks, if a scorer can't get it past the goalie he sucks... never any grey area with you guys.

The Wings will make the playoffs. You just don't go from the top of the mountain to bottom of the barrel in the west over 1 season. As for goaltending...We'll be fine. Ozzie proves he has what it takes...he'll have a bounce back year. Besides, we are prolly the most judgemental fanbase in the NHL to their team. Ozzie stoned Columbus (they were out playing the wings first couple of games), these forums praised him. It's pretty well accepted that he is the reason we even got past the 2nd round...as for the third, we dominated. This entire time, these forums called for conn smythe! He lets in one iffy, not really bad, but iffy goal...all the sudden he sucks, trade him, he's no good. PUT IN CONKLIN! Need I bring up '08? Put Luongo in net, he'll get the same treatment. Stones the opposition, he's conn smythe material. Lets in a goal, trade him! My point is that the Wings will be fine, defense will get tweaked and Ozzie will perform. 1 bad game from both goalies, at the begining of the year no less, doesn't = suck. I agree with the majority of the thread. Wait 20 games. PS: To the people who said conklin is better...just to show you what good and bad defense can do...The wing walked over the Blues defense the first...almost 3 goal in like 7 shots? Against Conklin! The Blues played shutdown hockey after the first. all the sudden the wing could only take bad angle shots, easy saves for Conklin. Conks did make a few good saves, but he was far from great.

Good ole Ozzie hate once again. I don't care if your the mother of all goalies a 5 on 0 = a goal. Top that with 3-4 useless bodies infront of you/screening you...that makes it even worse. Give the guy a few games to get it going...he is, after all, 38 years old. Also, he barely played in the preseason..kinda a bad move on the red wings part, but oh well. The wings as a whole were trying to be to fancy. It's like garbage goals are a bad thing to them. Trying tape to tape fancy set up passing isn't always the way to go. At any rate, it's 1 dang game. Wings will show 'em why they are the best team in the league tomorrow.

You know where it could possibly be streamed? I live in Chicago =(

Missed the game, is there by chance a site that has the game up via a recording? Sounds like I missed a good game. I would appreciate it if someone can link it for me, if there is one even out there. Thanks!

We all know how difficult it is to get to the Play-offs after winning a championship; the statistics do not lie. Our boys managed to pull off a damn near impossible feat: Make it to Play-Offs, and to the finals, as the champion. Not only that, but they are 1 win away from a repeat. Props, maaaad props. If they pull it off, that's 2 repeats in 12 years. Something that is considered an impossiblity in todays hockey game. Win or lose, we are damn lucky to be fans of such a damn awesome team. Finish this! GO WINGS!

I don't think we will be losing Ozzie next year, but I do think he's gonna retire very very soon. I'd say before 40. That's my opinion, though.

I feel bad for Ozzie. He decated so much to this franchise and it's fans, and how we repay him is discusting. Of course this isn't every fan thinking this. In the end, all the people who say that detriot will be the same without him are in for a big suprise. I think losing Ozzie will be just as big of a hit as us losing Lidstrom...Gotta remember, a goalie brings much more than flashy saves (which imo shows that the goalie is out of postion to begin with, if ozzie isn't very flashy...goes to show you how positionally sound he is), not to mention the mental game thatOzzie, in my opinion, tops every other goalie out there. To me that Hall of fame right there. Anyhoo, I belive the wings will win tonight. GO WINGS!