Should We Alternate Goalies in the Playoffs?

[dallas27 7]

My vote is for ignoring.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Some people are acting like ozzie is head and shoulders better than Dom. It's not like dom sucks. He just got 2 shutouts. If it's anything other than equal, ozzie only has a slight edge. With Dom now just getting back for real within the past couple weeks it's hard to judge 100%, but by spring I'm sure it will be much more apparent.

The way I see it we have 2 great goaltenders. Who cares about the playoffs until we get to them.

Edited January 10, 2008 by Z and D for the C

[wingslogo19 281]

Hey, if they alternate pitchers in the baseball playoffs, we can alternate goalies in the playoffs

UMM yeah umm.. NM

[dallas27 7]

I know that's what he was trying to say. I just don't agree. Assuming both goalies finish the season on an equal level, that means that Dom will have played amazing hockey for what? 5 1/2 months? If he's given the starting nod, how can that not be because of his performance? To say that someone is only given a job because of their name implies that they didn't earn it on any of their own merits.

Again, if Dom was playing .870 hockey and they named him the starter in the playoffs anyway, then absolutely I'd agree with the point. But when a guy has gone a month and a half (or longer if we're assuming this continues) stopping almost 94% of the shots he's faced, he'd be more than deserving of starting the playoffs. I just don't buy that the goalies' play in October means a hill of beans come April, if things continue the way they have.

And that means Osgood will have been playing amazing hockey for how many months. Like 7? And it would actually be better hockey. But Hasek gets the nod instead. Hasek's stats would be amazing. But not as good as Osgood's. So how does that not come down to the fact that his name is Hasek.

I don't get how you don't get this. It's not that hard. Everyone else seems to get it. Except you.

[dallas27 7]

Some people are acting like ozzie is head and shoulders better than Dom. It's not like dom sucks. He just got 2 shutouts. If it's anything other than equal, ozzie only has a slight edge. With Dom now just getting back for real within the past couple weeks it's hard to judge 100%, but by spring I'm sure it will be much more apparent.

The way I see it we have 2 great goaltenders. Who cares about the playoffs until we get to them.

He's not head and above shoulders better than Dom. But if you compare their seasons Osgood has performed better.

It's always going to be hard to judge 100% what Hasek does. Because people always find an excuse for him. Bad October, bad November, team didn't play well, he only saw like 15 shots. It can go on. He's paid to stop the puck. I expect him to do that throughout the whole season. Someone else has.

[Lady in REd 0]

Thats odd of Ozzie to say that, doesn't even seem like something he'd really say.

And for the third time I don't find a problem in alternating goalies in the playoffs, I just want to wait until that time comes to really start talking about it. Hasek is really catching up to Osgood, and I feel that he's going to keep improving. I think it's just difficult for everyone to get over Hasek's performance earlier in the season, but the respect he deserves is starting to blossom again. Both goalies are great and I love seeing them play back to back.

[Z and D for the C 712]

He's not head and above shoulders better than Dom. But if you compare their seasons Osgood has performed better.

It's always going to be hard to judge 100% what Hasek does. Because people always find an excuse for him. Bad October, bad November, team didn't play well, he only saw like 15 shots. It can go on. He's paid to stop the puck. I expect him to do that throughout the whole season. Someone else has.

Ozzie is doing better this season statistically yes but only because Dom had such a horrible start (not to say ozzie would be doing worse, but Dom would be doing better). Since Dom's 3 game losing streak his GAA is 1.36. His perfomance 2 months ago doesn't mean he isn't playing awesome now. Let's not forget Dom is #6 in the league for GAA, including his horrible start.

Though Dom is my favorite wing, and though I've always defended him, don't get anything mixed up, I LOVE Ozzie and I LOVE Dom, I'd be really happy to see Ozzie in net if he deserves it when the time comes, I'd be really happy to see Dom in net if he deserves it when the time comes, I'd love to see them alternate, whatever. As long as we're winning and whoever is in goal has a Winged Wheel on their jersey, I'm happy.

[Salviaman 104]

Since Dom's 3 game losing streak his GAA is 1.36. His perfomance 2 months ago doesn't mean he isn't playing awesome now. Let's not forget Dom is #6 in the league for GAA, including his horrible start.

AND? His GAA really doesn't mean anything about his play, it means that his defense and his forwards have bailed him out more now cause they know he is old and has lost a step. He is so much slower now then he was when he won the cup in 2002. Look at his Save % and then say hes a awesome goalie. Ozzie has outplayed and out shined Hasek, and it shows in his work ethic and his awesome sick goaltending. Stop defending Dom, he is still the same player that had a horrible start, if not for Osgood picking up his play then Wings would not be the #1 team in the NHL.

[Packer487 3]

Here is what you are missing, or ignoring, I'm not sure which. The key factor is if the goalies finish the season playing on the same level, not finish the season with similar stats. That means, just looking at from now, till the end of the season. Dom would still finish with lesser stats. In that situation, if Dom gets the nod, how does it not directly relate to the name on the back of the jersey?

I'm not missing it, I'm not ignoring it. If you just want to look at the stats at the end and have them play whoever has better numbers, that's fine. I think it'd be idiotic to be like "Dom, you've been great...really great...for 3/4 of the season, but Ozzie was clearly better than you in October, so we're going to give him the reigns in the playoffs."

Do you not see how stupid that is? If the goalies have been playing at a similar level for 5 1/2 months, there are other things to consider when picking the starter that mean a whole lot more than who was better in October. And it remains to be seen that both guys stay this hot for the rest of the season. Like I said somewhere in this thread, we might get this "controversy" answered for us.

Hasek has been great his entire career. That ten game blip (and he was only truly BAD in maybe 4 of those games) is a fluke. He's clearly played his way out of his troubles. So unless he gets hurt or gets back into a major slump, those games are completely irrelevant to me.

And that means Osgood will have been playing amazing hockey for how many months. Like 7?

Yup.

And it would actually be better hockey.

Based on what? Over the last month and a half they're equal in starts and wins, Dom has the better GAA (not insignificantly either), the better save % by just a tick, and more shutouts. The teams Dom has played combine for 504 points. The teams Osgood played combine for 497 points. The teams Dom played combined for 1,319 goals this year. Osgood's have managed 1,266. The Wings have given both of them 39 goals of support in those 11 games.

But Hasek gets the nod instead. Hasek's stats would be amazing. But not as good as Osgood's. So how does that not come down to the fact that his name is Hasek.

The deciding factor would probably come down to the fact that Hasek has recently had playoff success and Osgood hasn't. If you want to lump that into "the fact that his name is Hasek" that's fine. I'm mean, we're not in a vacuum. You can't just ignore the past few seasons.

But the fact of the matter is that if Hasek's play hadn't improved, there would be no debate to be had. No "tiebreaker" would be needed. You can't call it "solely getting the job based on his name" when a guy would theoretically be playing lights out hockey for that long of a time period. Saying that implies that he didn't get it on his own merits and that wouldn't be true. Like I said, Babcock isn't stupid. He's going to play the guy that gives them the best shot to win a Stanley Cup. And if that guy falters, I'm sure he'll put the other one in.

If Osgood is clearly better come playoff time, you have to go with him. I've never said differently. If it's even close, you have to go with Hasek. And I'm really not sure how you could make an argument otherwise.

Edited January 10, 2008 by Packer487

[Packer487 3]

AND? His GAA really doesn't mean anything about his play, it means that his defense and his forwards have bailed him out more now cause they know he is old and has lost a step.

Fine, if you don't like the "since he got his play back on track he has a 1.36 GAA" stat, how's this one? "Since he got his play back on track, his save percentage is .936".

He is so much slower now then he was when he won the cup in 2002.

How do you figure?

What's super good is that Dom would've needed to make 6 more saves over the course of the season thusfar to be at the same save percentage he had when we won the Cup in 2002. Given that, I think we all could agree he's playing a TON better right now than he did at the start of the year, it's really not unreasonable to think that would've happened if he could play those games again.

It was a 10 game blip. He was probably only really bad in 4 of those games. He's past it.

Ozzie has outplayed and out shined Hasek, and it shows in his work ethic and his awesome sick goaltending.

He did for sure in October and early November. Since then, Dom's been right there with him, and has actually posted better numbers. He's had quite a bit "awesome sick goaltending" of his own. And Dom's practice habits are legendary. I don't think a whole lot of people best him on work ethic...

Stop defending Dom, he is still the same player that had a horrible start

Yeaaah, 11 years of being a great starting goalie. 4 or 5 bad games this year. 11 awesome games after that. He should totally be judged on those subpar starts.

if not for Osgood picking up his play then Wings would not be the #1 team in the NHL.

For the record, bad start and all, Dom has a 14-6-0 record which is good for a .700 winning percentage. We've played 44 games, so there are 88 possible points. At a .700 winning percentage, we would have 61.6 points, which would still be good for tops in the league.

[The Noodle 39 14]

Look guys i know you all love Ozzie and so do i! But he just got a contract extension and will be with us a few more years. This is Dom's last year and he has been playing very good lately! He is Dominik Hasek people! He will be solid the rest of the year barring injury and he will be the #1 come playoff time. Yes Ozzie has been great this season. Not to be mean or anything but this is a very good team and IMO we could throw anyone in net and still make the playoffs. Playoffs are what matters and Dom has shined in the playoffs throught his career! Ozzie on the other hand.. meh.. But it looks like he has finally found his groove and will be our #1 for a while!! Lets hope he keeps playing good! Go Ozzie and Dom!!

Ozzie was not all that great with the Blues and Islanders. He's just comfortable here and plays well here cause this is his home. But i will admit and I'm sure all of you will too.. if Ozzie gets no playoff action this year how would he have done? If we fall short would things have been different with Ozzie in net? Let's hope he continues to be solid for next year and beyond cause he will definitly have his shot after this year guys!!

[Offsides 21]

Look guys i know you all love Ozzie and so do i! But he just got a contract extension and will be with us a few more years. This is Dom's last year and he has been playing very good lately! He is Dominik Hasek people! He will be solid the rest of the year barring injury and he will be the #1 come playoff time. Yes Ozzie has been great this season. Not to be mean or anything but this is a very good team and IMO we could throw anyone in net and still make the playoffs. Playoffs are what matters and Dom has shined in the playoffs throught his career! Ozzie on the other hand.. meh.. But it looks like he has finally found his groove and will be our #1 for a while!! Lets hope he keeps playing good! Go Ozzie and Dom!!

Ozzie was not all that great with the Blues and Islanders. He's just comfortable here and plays well here cause this is his home. But i will admit and I'm sure all of you will too.. if Ozzie gets no playoff action this year how would he have done? If we fall short would things have been different with Ozzie in net? Let's hope he continues to be solid for next year and beyond cause he will definitly have his shot after this year guys!!

Question. If Ozzie only wins because of the Wings...(btw he tied the Islanders record for wins with Billy Smith while on the Islanders) ... and Hasek has been so great... Um...How come he had to come here to win a Cup?

But apparently we could throw anyone in net this year...which imho is more proof of Dom's recent success than of Osgood's who's been consistantly great.

If we have to rely on one goaltender in the playoffs, I think Osgood is the more reliable right now. I felt Dom made mistakes that helped cause us the Cup last year. We have him to steal games...he didn't when we needed him to. 4 goals per loss is not a close loss...and yes I know we had D problems. If Dom can't do THAT (which I thought was the appeal of him)...if he's not stealing those games then everything's equal. Ozzie's been better, put Ozzie in. If Ozzie starts sucking or something, yeah it's a different ballgame, but I don't see that happening.

[imisssergei 0]

I'm not missing it, I'm not ignoring it. If you just want to look at the stats at the end and have them play whoever has better numbers, that's fine. I think it'd be idiotic to be like "Dom, you've been great...really great...for 3/4 of the season, but Ozzie was clearly better than you in October, so we're going to give him the reigns in the playoffs."

Do you not see how stupid that is? If the goalies have been playing at a similar level for 5 1/2 months, there are other things to consider when picking the starter that mean a whole lot more than who was better in October. And it remains to be seen that both guys stay this hot for the rest of the season. Like I said somewhere in this thread, we might get this "controversy" answered for us.

Hasek has been great his entire career. That ten game blip (and he was only truly BAD in maybe 4 of those games) is a fluke. He's clearly played his way out of his troubles. So unless he gets hurt or gets back into a major slump, those games are completely irrelevant to me.

Yup.

Based on what? Over the last month and a half they're equal in starts and wins, Dom has the better GAA (not insignificantly either), the better save % by just a tick, and more shutouts. The teams Dom has played combine for 504 points. The teams Osgood played combine for 497 points. The teams Dom played combined for 1,319 goals this year. Osgood's have managed 1,266. The Wings have given both of them 39 goals of support in those 11 games.

The deciding factor would probably come down to the fact that Hasek has recently had playoff success and Osgood hasn't. If you want to lump that into "the fact that his name is Hasek" that's fine. I'm mean, we're not in a vacuum. You can't just ignore the past few seasons.

But the fact of the matter is that if Hasek's play hadn't improved, there would be no debate to be had. No "tiebreaker" would be needed. You can't call it "solely getting the job based on his name" when a guy would theoretically be playing lights out hockey for that long of a time period. Saying that implies that he didn't get it on his own merits and that wouldn't be true. Like I said, Babcock isn't stupid. He's going to play the guy that gives them the best shot to win a Stanley Cup. And if that guy falters, I'm sure he'll put the other one in.

If Osgood is clearly better come playoff time, you have to go with him. I've never said differently. If it's even close, you have to go with Hasek. And I'm really not sure how you could make an argument otherwise.

This is my last responce to you on this topic.

First READ WHAT YOU WROTE!!!!!!!!!! You contradict yourself. In one breath you say that, ignoring Dom's horrific start, if he finishes the season playing as well as Osgood, and gets the start in the playoffs it isn't because of his name.

Then in another breath you say that it would come down to what Hasek has done in the past.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?! That is EXACTLY what gving the start to Dom because of his name!!!!!

Idiotic to give the guy the start in the playoffs who has been hot all season, instead of a guy who hasn't been? I fail to see how this could be viewed as idiotic.

What's idiotic is your statement that if it's even close you have to go with Hasek. The only reason to go with Hasek would be because of his name. If the goalies finish up the year at the pace they are on, Osgood will still finish with better stats. Osgood deserves the start.

End of story.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Even though the discussion is apparently over for some, I will add .02 on this.

I am astounded at the ability of fans to ignore what they choose to ignore, while "proving" that one goalie is a better player or better human being than the other. Neither of them are perfect. That's the truth. They're both ours and we ought to be glad, instead of picking them apart.

Discrediting Dom or Ozzie, or blaming them for costing the team the Cup (pick a season) or even a game is just biased and downright silly. It's always easiest to blame the goalie.

It's pretty clear that people who are over the top freaks for Ozzie are never going to believe Hasek could contribute anything positive to the team's effort at this point. This is despite the fact that he's completely turned around a rough start, has been amazing, and should be given credit for that.

The die-hard Hasek fans are going to believe that Dom has the goods to take the team to the Cup. There's a lot of evidence to support that notion. It's not a reason to say Ozzie can't do the same, especially if his level of play continues. I see no reason why it wouldn't.

What would be nice is if everyone could be happy that the Red Wings have two incredible goaltenders, and not try so hard to debase one in an attempt to make the other one look better. It would be nice if the few posters who still have the nerve to admit they don't completely trust Ozzie would let it go and realize he's changed his game and is now even better (JMO) and give him credit for that. It would be nice if some would get over the apparent resentment they harbor toward Dom and agree that both goalies look great.

It would be nice.

[OsGOD 3]

Question. If Ozzie only wins because of the Wings...(btw he tied the Islanders record for wins with Billy Smith while on the Islanders) ... and Hasek has been so great... Um...How come he had to come here to win a Cup?

touche teehee

Detroit where all great goalies come to win the cup!

oh and who the eff is billy smith... he must be a tool if Ozzie tied him

[puckloo39 5,686]

touche teehee

Detroit where all great goalies come to win the cup!

Why didn't Ozzie win a Cup for St. Louis or the Isles, if he is solely responsible for winning the Cup he won with the Wings? Could it be that even despite Ozzie's best efforts and great work there, the teams in front of him couldn't pull it off?

Sort of like Hasek and the Sabres, if you think about it for a second.

[Packer487 3]

This is my last responce to you on this topic.

First READ WHAT YOU WROTE!!!!!!!!!! You contradict yourself. In one breath you say that, ignoring Dom's horrific start, if he finishes the season playing as well as Osgood, and gets the start in the playoffs it isn't because of his name.

Then in another breath you say that it would come down to what Hasek has done in the past.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?! That is EXACTLY what gving the start to Dom because of his name!!!!!

Idiotic to give the guy the start in the playoffs who has been hot all season, instead of a guy who hasn't been? I fail to see how this could be viewed as idiotic.

If a guy plays 5 1/2 months of hockey giving up 1.33 goals a game and stopping almost 94% of the shots he faces, he's not being given the starting job because of his name. If Dom was going to get the job because of his name and solely based on what he's done in the past, then it wouldn't matter if he kept playing crappy hockey the entire season...he'd be the starter. And Babcock isn't stupid.

Starting a goalie because of his name is to say, "That's Dominik Hasek. He's starting regardless of how he plays because he's the best goalie in the history of hockey." And that's not at all what's going on--or what I'm suggesting should happen. If you want to say that without his name, he wouldn't have gotten a chance to play his way out of his slump, I'm fine with that. I've said many times in the past that he's more than earned the right to play through his troubles. His track record bought him a chance to get his problems fixed. But it's not a free pass to starting in the playoffs. His PLAY has to give him that chance.

If you've got two goalies playing similarly well, you'd be a fool to ignore how they've done in the postseason in the past.

If I've got one goalie who has been hot for 5 1/2 months, and one who has been hot for 7 months, I really don't much care that goalie A wasn't all that great in October. Come playoff time, it just doesn't matter. You're saying that you would put more stock in the fact that he had a bad October than the fact that Dom has had a lot of playoff success in his career and that Osgood hasn't won a playoff series since I was in high school (I'm 25 now FTR)? It doesn't make any sense.

Do you think that Corey Perry is a better goal scorer than Datsyuk? How bout Mike Riberio and Patrick Sharp? Because due to Datsyuk's slow start putting pucks in the net, those guys would all finish ahead of him, even if Dats keeps up his pace since the 18th game of the season or so. Would you take any of those guys over Dats if you needed a goal late in a playoff game?

I also wonder if any of these "Play Ozzie because he'd be better the ENTIRE SEASON" people were pulling for Osgood to get the nod over Legace back in 2005. There certainly were a lot of them. But Legace's season stats blew Osgood's out of the water, and Legace's late-season stats blew Osgood's out of the water. Whatever...

What's idiotic is your statement that if it's even close you have to go with Hasek. The only reason to go with Hasek would be because of his name. If the goalies finish up the year at the pace they are on, Osgood will still finish with better stats. Osgood deserves the start.

End of story.

I'm just curious if you'd say the same thing if instead of Osgood, it was a guy who's been chock full of fail in the postseason like Legace. Or if it was a rookie goalie putting up nice numbers that didn't have any playoff experience. Are stats really all that matter to you, even though there are clear limitations about what they say?

Like I said, it's not a vacuum. There has to be some element of considering a player's history in there. It doesn't mean you're picking a guy solely based on his name or his track record, but it's stupid to think that it doesn't play some role. And that stuff means a whole helluva lot more than who played better in October.

And if that scenario happens, Dom would be getting the nod because he would have played lights out freaking hockey for 5 1/2 months and he's been really solid in the playoffs in the recent past. Not because of his name and the fact that he's got 6 Vezinas and 2 Harts in his trophy case.

I don't get what's so tough to understand about this...

The funny thing is that these Ozzie lovers are so riled up, and I haven't said one bad thing about his play this season, and have been really complimentary. I like the guy. I think he's played outstanding hockey this year.

Whatever, this is all probably going to get decided for us at some point anyway. And if it doesn't get decided for us, then Hasek's going to start, and that'll be awesome.

Edited January 10, 2008 by Packer487

[imisssergei 0]

Even though the discussion is apparently over for some, I will add .02 on this.

I am astounded at the ability of fans to ignore what they choose to ignore, while "proving" that one goalie is a better player or better human being than the other. Neither of them are perfect. That's the truth. They're both ours and we ought to be glad, instead of picking them apart.

Discrediting Dom or Ozzie, or blaming them for costing the team the Cup (pick a season) or even a game is just biased and downright silly. It's always easiest to blame the goalie.

It's pretty clear that people who are over the top freaks for Ozzie are never going to believe Hasek could contribute anything positive to the team's effort at this point. This is despite the fact that he's completely turned around a rough start, has been amazing, and should be given credit for that.

The die-hard Hasek fans are going to believe that Dom has the goods to take the team to the Cup. There's a lot of evidence to support that notion. It's not a reason to say Ozzie can't do the same, especially if his level of play continues. I see no reason why it wouldn't.

What would be nice is if everyone could be happy that the Red Wings have two incredible goaltenders, and not try so hard to debase one in an attempt to make the other one look better. It would be nice if the few posters who still have the nerve to admit they don't completely trust Ozzie would let it go and realize he's changed his game and is now even better (JMO) and give him credit for that. It would be nice if some would get over the apparent resentment they harbor toward Dom and agree that both goalies look great.

It would be nice.

As much as I hate Dom, I do give him due credit for getting back on track. However, I still think Ozzie should get the nod in the playoffs because he is playing better than Dom. It makes ZERO sense to list reasons Dom should be the starter in the playoffs because he has done well in the past, but ignore his awful first few months. Ozzie has proven he is not only capable of starting and winning, but also that he deserves a shot in the playoffs.

Regardless, I'm sticking to my guns. As I've said many times before, I don't think this team as is can win a Cup this year with Dom/Ozzie in net. The playoffs are a different story. Yes, the Wings are dominating the regular season. But lets not forget what happened in the 62 win campaign. The Wings need to fill the void that Markov left, and add some secondary scoring. Yes Flip and Rex are doing well, but they haven't proven anything in the playoffs. I realize they need an opportunity to prove themselves, but why not give them someone to take some pressure off? As far as the d corp goes, you can't rely of Kronwall to stay healthy, and past Lidstrom and Raffy, there is no one other than Kronwall who is capable of playing top 4 minutes. No Cheli is not, he is a great guy to fill the 5th/6th spot. Lilja is a turnover machine, and Lebda just isn't good enough either. To win the Cup you need a complete team. This Wings team is not complete. Again, REGULAR SEASON means nothing once he playoffs start.

[FinRedWing 172]

and Hasek has been so great... Um...How come he had to come here to win a Cup?

Using that logic even Ray Bourque wasn't a great player.

[OsGOD 3]

Why didn't Ozzie win a Cup for St. Louis or the Isles, if he is solely responsible for winning the Cup he won with the Wings? Could it be that even despite Ozzie's best efforts and great work there, the teams in front of him couldn't pull it off?

Sort of like Hasek and the Sabres, if you think about it for a second.

I will buy that if it can be also noted that Hasek wasn't only but a piece of the puzzle for our bought '02 cup... and not the sole reason for it

[HenryMalredo 2]

I don't see what the problem is with taking past sucess into account when choosing the starter. If Hasek is playing like an AHL goaltender, of course you go with Ozzie. But if its close between the two, you gotta go with Hasek. I think anybody who's watched hockey would have to agree that Hasek is a much better playoff goalie than Ozzie.

[dallas27 7]

Yup.

Based on what? Over the last month and a half they're equal in starts and wins, Dom has the better GAA (not insignificantly either), the better save % by just a tick, and more shutouts. The teams Dom has played combine for 504 points. The teams Osgood played combine for 497 points. The teams Dom played combined for 1,319 goals this year. Osgood's have managed 1,266. The Wings have given both of them 39 goals of support in those 11 games.

Based on the fact that he would have better stats than Hasek FOR THE WHOLE SEASON, assuming they both finish out the way they are playing. OH WAIT. THE FIRST TWO MONTHS DON'T COUNT FOR HASEK DO THEY. LET'S IGNORE THE FACT THAT OSGOOD'S STATS WOULD BE BETTER FROM DAY 1 TO THE END.

Again, everyone sees this. Except for you. Imisssergei made it even more clear, which is much appreciated. Why you continue to insist that you aren't missing or ignoring anything when clearly you are I can't figure out. I don't know why I or anyone bothers.

[Offsides 21]

Using that logic even Ray Bourque wasn't a great player.

I'm saying that all i hear is that Ozzie is ONLY good because he's a Wing. Only won a Cup because he was on a great team. Well how many goalies have won Cups without teams to back it up. Not a whole lot...and not Hasek.

I'm using the reverse logic you might be expecting. I'm not saying Hasek is bad because he won a Cup with the Wings...I'm saying Ozzie isn't BAD just because he has played for a good team.

Edited January 10, 2008 by Offsides

[puckloo39 5,686]

I will buy that if it can be also noted that Hasek wasn't only but a piece of the puzzle for our bought '02 cup... and not the sole reason for it

I've never said that Dom was the reason they won in '02, although I do think he was a key piece of the puzzle to bring it home that season. Setting playoff records for shutouts and OT wins wasn't a fluke. That said, the team was determined to win, for Luc and Dom in particular.

Suggesting that Dom is an inferior player because he couldn't win the Sabres a Cup is just ignorant. However, if you don't know anything about the Sabres in the '90s and therefore don't realize that Hasek pretty much single-handedly took that team to the finals in '99, then I guess one could imagine it was his fault he didn't win the Cup in Buffalo.

Dom chose to come to Detroit because he knew the calibre of players. He knew Mr I would do what it took to win. He knew also that Buffalo was not going to bring in the players to win and didn't have the resources to commit... so that just makes him smart, in my book.

Just one question (not just to you, OsGod, but feel free to respond): if Ozzie tanks in the second half, and Dom keeps going great, what's the verdict then? Of course, anything could happen and there's no reason to think Ozzie won't keep up the great season he's having... but I will be curious to see the reaction. Someone said a while back, as soon as Ozzie lets in a couple of bloopers, he will be the goat again. I doubt that, not around here anyway.

Personally, I think there is nothing Ozzie can do that's bad enough tarnish his season, just as Dom won't be able to "redeem" himself (as if there's a need for it) in some peoples' eyes.

Perception is everything.

[FinRedWing 172]

I'm saying that all i hear is that Ozzie is ONLY good because he's a Wing. Only won a Cup because he was on a great team. Well how many goalies have won Cups without teams to back it up. Not a whole lot...and not Hasek.

I'm using the reverse logic you might be expecting. I'm not saying Hasek is bad because he won a Cup with the Wings...I'm saying Ozzie isn't BAD just because he has played for a good team.

Now I get it!

And I haven't answered to the topic yet,maybe that's 'cause I really don't know should we alternate them.

But I think Babs won't do that,he'll pick the go-to guy eventually.