Mike

He is the best player in the league, but it is too bad that the league doesn't treat him like the best.

Congratulations. You attended a hockey game. I'm surprised that you didn't get lost on your way there. I didn't cite that game, you did. I responded to your comment about that specific game. One game does not make Osgood the best goalie in the league. As I said before, even a bad goalie will have a few good games. You can say that he was great, but that is only your thinking. The thinking that has absolutely no credibility what so ever.

If recent to you is 2 1/2 weeks ago. Even a struggling goalie will have a few good games. His most "recent" game that he won against the Ducks, he gave up 3 goals, which is Ozzie's mo this season.

So, based on your statements, you either enjoy the smell of flatulence or you are not a reasonable person. Go ahead and rest your case, you proved absolutely nothing.

Awesome. He didn't let in soft goals in 3 games. Somehow I think he played in more than 3 games this season though.

Everyone has a different definition of a quality poster, so you are on shakey ground to say that "quality" posters are leaving. Anyone who plays NHL 2K9 should not be posting on this board because they are morons. EA Sports versions of NHL video games are much better. Frustration is part of the internet. If you cannot handle, get the hell out. A quality poster would be able to handle some frustration rather than run away. And you are most welcome for the invitation. It still stands by the way.

The Wings should start Conks the next two games and then give the reins to Osgood for a while. Osgood needs a lot of starts to try to get back in top form. If he still plays poorly, Conks gets the reins.

I will agree that the whole team is struggling now, especially the defense. But, when there is a defensive breakdown, you have to rely on your goaltender to come up with a save. Can the Wings rely on Osgood to make that save?

I watch every game and have seen time after time Ozzie letting in soft goals, playing too far back in the crease and all around not looking very confident. Why don't you become one of those posters and leave.

Last season was last season and this season is this season. We need to look how Osgood is playing now, not how he has played and right now he is struggling badly.

Off-ice relationships are just that, off-ice. They start Osgood because they cannot start Conks every game and there is no alternative in GR because of cap room and because neither goalie is NHL ready.

I'm saying the team would play better in front of a goalie that they know can give them a better chance to win. I never said that they throw the game away because Ozie is in net. That is pretty stupid to think. It is only human nature to play better if you know that you have a better chance at winning.

The Wings played so bad in front of Hasek in 2002 that they won a Presidents Trophy and the Stanley Cup in decisive fashion. Had Manny not chocked in the playoffs, he would have been the starting goaltender and Ozzie would be on the bench as the backup. You might want to stop making these asinine leaps in logic because I said no such thing. And I said that the players would know a better goaltender than the fans because they actually play hockey.

Perhaps this is because the backup goalie is better than the starting goalie so the players will play at a higher level for a higher level goalie. The players would know better than the fans. There is just as much criticism being placed on the defense, Kronwall and Rafalski in particular, and the Wings lack luster 4th line. Just look throughout the boards here. This is a common problem with the Wings. They play as if the regular season has no meaning and then the playoffs role around and they start firing on all cylinders. There is no doubt that this Wings team is going to the playoffs, baring something amazingly bad. I will judge effort based on the first few playoff games. Can't disagree with that. If the Wings play like they are now in the playoffs, the Wings can kiss the dream of back-to-back goodbye.

As it turns out, our backup goalies usually play better than our starting goalies. Also, the Wings usually do everything so well that fans have little to complain about, but the goalie is usually the weakest spot, so that is where the criticism is aimed. In this case, that criticism is deserved, but we might want to back off until he plays in a game again.

These Osgood threads should really stop. He's not even playing in net right now, so there shouldn't be much criticism that hasn't already been heard.

Does anyone here subscribe to NHL GamerCenter Live? I want to know how the video and audio quality are and if it is any better than some of the free streams out there. Also, if anyone uses Hockey Streams, how is that service? It seems almost better, but idk if it is legit, showing blackedout games and all.

Don't forget that Osgood started to play worse as the Stanley Cup Finals went on. After that first loss, he was not the same goalie that won the 8 or so in a row.

Riding on players that have done good for the Wings in the past has almost always turned out bad, i.e. Osgood, Draper, Maltby, Hasek. The past is nice, but the present is what counts. Just because Osgood has won Stanley Cups before does not mean he is going to win them again. If the Wings are to continue to be a great team, they need to stop living in the past with old players that are past their prime. It sucks to let players go that have done so well for you before, but it has to be done.

It is obvious that the 4th line has become a liability to the Wings this season. Kopecky is constantly falling to the ice, turning the puck over and I don't think he holds onto the puck long enough in the offensive zone to get a shot on goal. Draper is fast and takes good faceoffs, but that is about it. Maltby doesn't pursue pucks, it seems like he stands and watches most of the time. He doesn't play the body and he doesn't take shots. So what the hell are the Wings to do? Bring in guys from GR or just play the 4th line less? Call me crazy, but I think the 4th line was out there more today than in the last game, I hope I am wrong though.

I'm looking into going to my first Griffins game and was wondering, for those that have been there, where is the best place to sit? Looking at the map of the arena, sections 108 and the first few rows of section 208 seemed good to me and I'm thinking the first few rows of 208 would be best because it is higher up, but still close to the action. What do you guys think? Arena Map

Ozzie's last season under contract is 10/11. After that he is UFA.

I am happy/mad that the Blackhawks won. I am happy because the gap between the Wings and the Sharks remains at 8 and I am mad because the gap between the Wings and Chitown is down to 7. The Wings better get their asses moving and fast.

If keeping Hossa means the Wings have to keep Kopecky, then we shouldn't keep Hossa.

I absolutely agree. Lilja has limited his turnovers, thrown his body around, improved his stick handling, kept his feet moving and has even shown that he can score a goal or two. He better keep it up throughout the playoffs.