gcom007

Umm, no. Even Babcock, who has had no problem hanging Osgood up after games this year, didn't have s*** to say about him after this game, noting that a goalie has no chance on some of those goals and the defense and TEAM was terrible, noting that they were getting into a habit of losing as opposed to winning.

I've been saying it since December. Babcock's goalie management is s***ty and it has been for as long as he's been here. I don't know what he's thinking, but he gets it wrong a lot. He's been letting Osgood rot on the bench and giving him a single start here and there. I don't care if Osgood even played great in some of these games, it means nothing if he doesn't get more games so he can actually get a RHYTHM going. He's had absolutely no opportunity to do that since early November. And Nick Lidstrom: "I don't think we helped Osgood out tonight at all."

Yep. This is kinda what I feared as well. I really liked the way this team was looking for awhile when more guys were injured! We got a system going and seemed to have a more complete team with better lines and pairings than we've had recently. I just think there's a real lack of balance on this team in a lot of ways that isn't helping us at all as we get regulars back that are used to playing a certain way. Remember October when we were healthy and we had ABSOLUTELY NO CHEMISTRY AT ALL!?!?!?!? That scares me more than missing the playoffs. Still not worried down the stretch about that, but as far as chemistry and gelling goes, I've got some worries. Our 2nd line is worthless and some and our 4th line has no bite at all. Our defense, I don't know. So strong for awhile, looking lost like mofo's latley...

Even Babcock doesn't seem too down on Osgood, noting that a goalie has no chance on some of those goals.

Howard gave up 5 goals last night too and Osgood faced far more offensive chances tonight than Howard last night. Not saying anyone should be happy about Osgood tonight as he certainly didn't help us win, but this loss was not on him at all. No goalie is going to win this game for us when the team plays as bad as they did.

I'm not saying Osgood played well by any means, but you can't sit here and blame him. I know that's the knee-jerk reaction for a lot of people, but here's reality: in the last two games we've given up 5 goals with Howard and Osgood. Osgood had to face a lot more chances, rushes, etc. in this game than Howard as well. The team fell apart in front of Howard for the last 5 minutes last night and for the entire game tonight with Osgood. I don't think either of our goalies are winning the games for us lately, but all these goals being scored have been good goals and/or defensive breakdowns. Even that 4th goal which I thought was the worst for Osgood should never have happened as we got caught up in a lazy change and we utterly failed to cover guys. Again, not saying Osgood was sterling, but neither of these guys, nor any other goalie, is going to bail us out of these defensive disasters.

Not necessary. Edit worthy.

That's not even close to the truth. He's paid like one of our better players, but he is absolutely not one of our better players. He's one of the most redundant, inconsequential players on this team. He'd be a better player on a team that had a forward group that was weaker on defense as he'd be filling a hole there and playing a big role. In Detroit, he's being asked to create offense when it's not his thing and thus he's just not really an effective player for this team.

He is not the answer for this team. He's a defensive guy trying to create offense with average hands and a terrible shot. We should trade him and his contract for a guy who's capable of scoring more goals. Flip's not near as "bad" (he's great on defense) as he is just not the right piece of the puzzle for this team.

That doesn't make any sense in the context those goals were scored in.

Unbelievable.

Osgood + Defense Fail.

Time for Dats to get a hat-trick!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah, I haven't picked up on his game yet. Noted.

That was such a stupid call that I can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.

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What about "it shouldn't have been a penalty?" It was a cheap-ass call...

That's what I said last night. They looked mostly worthless then too. A player like Bertuzzi needs a guy like Dats who can set him up. Bert's got good hands and can make a great pass/setup himself, but to make the most of his skill set, he needs a guy who can deliver a solid setup. Not a smart decision to break up he and Dats, but I don't think it's punishment. The experiment probably had more to do with getting Flip someone who can really shoot, but Flip can't make the passes most of the time so it doesn't really matter. Flip can cycle the puck around when there's a lot of space so he worked alright with a shooter like Hossa who had a lot of speed. Hossa had the skill and speed to then extend his room and create chances. Bert just doesn't have the speed to do that and he's looking more like a setup guy out there on that line. Let him set up Dats when he gets those opportunities and Dats set up. This 2nd line just isn't a threat.

I definitely agree. I don't see the benefit of him pushing to come back early. I'd rather him be 110%.

He's great in our end, underrated as a defensive player but his offensive skills are profoundly lacking. BULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLs***TTTTTTTTTTTTTTT Bertuzzi Penalty #9,432,328...

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It humors me that you would note this.

Got lucky X2 there...the Wild are effin' up!

He did not look good last night, though he didn't look like he wasn't trying either. I was there and after the plays he was hunching over a lot and just seemed to be trying to keep it all together. I've thought he's been bothered by injury still, and I was definitely more convinced last night. His speed is definitely not all there.