Why Osgood can't start in the playoffs

[redeyedwings 2]

My buddy's a wings fan in Toronto an I've posted some stuff from his blog here before and people liked it. He's pissed that I guess some poeple are even debating who should start for us in the playoffs. I kinda agree with him. Osgood's a good guy, but this is Dom we're talking about!!

Anyway, what do you guys think?

http://dirtygames.wordpress.com/2008/01/30...-osgood-really/

"I will have a gigantic problem indeed if I tune in to round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs and see a healthy Dominik Hasek wearing a baseball cap on the bench while Chris Osgood, fresh off a 30-6-2, 1.90, .935 season, hangs between the pipes. A problem?! I will damn near have a seizure."

[WingsFANstuckintheSOUTH 10]

I was talking about this during the allstar with my friends...no matter how good of a season osgood has and finishes with i still have that feeling #39 will be starting the playoffs.

My buddy's a wings fan in Toronto an I've posted some stuff from his blog here before and people liked it. He's pissed that I guess some poeple are even debating who should start for us in the playoffs. I kinda agree with him. Osgood's a good guy, but this is Dom we're talking about!!

Anyway, what do you guys think?

http://dirtygames.wordpress.com/2008/01/30...-osgood-really/

"I will have a gigantic problem indeed if I tune in to round one of the Stanley Cup playoffs and see a healthy Dominik Hasek wearing a baseball cap on the bench while Chris Osgood, fresh off a 30-6-2, 1.90, .935 season, hangs between the pipes. A problem?! I will damn near have a seizure."

[rwfan007 18]

theres still a lot of season left for one of them to ink his name into the full time starter

[wingslogo19 281]

Not this again

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

I am torn on this issue. My heart says to start Ozzie if he keeps playing the way he has been. He is doing great. However, my head says to go with Dom. I think Dom is a clutch player who really brings it when it's really on the line. I realize they have both won a Stanley Cup with the Wings as the starting goalie in the playoffs. I can't help but think though that in 1998 with Ozzie in net the defense had a lot to do with the Cup win. This is not to say that Ozzie didn't play well. He did play well and had some really great games. But I feel that in 2002 Hasek really stood out. Almost everyone agreed that he was a candidate for the Conn Smythe trophy that year as MVP of the playoffs. I don't really remember that many people saying that about Ozzie in '98. That being said, it is six years later and there is no guarantee that Dom can play like that again. However, I felt that he did play very well in the playoffs last year, and that was only one year ago, not six. I just think objectively Dom should start the playoffs, although if my heart were ruling things, it would be Ozzie, no questions asked. Unfortunately, in professional sports, the coach must think with his head, not his heart.

[redeyedwings 2]

theres still a lot of season left for one of them to ink his name into the full time starter

That's what I told my buddy -- dude who wrote the blog post. I think Hasek will be the #1 by the end of the season. He said that even if Hasek's GAA is 3 at the end of the year he needs to be the starter.

I want Hasek too -- I think he's one of my favouritre goalies ever. But if he s--ts the bed the rest of the season then I guess you gota go with the hot hand.

[OsGOD 3]

April 14th or something is the first game... lets wait until that time. Ozzie is starting tonight, i am taking it one game at a time. he already got his 20 wins this season in just over that many games played... i am giddy as a little school boy

[wingsfan40 0]

That's what I told my buddy -- dude who wrote the blog post. I think Hasek will be the #1 by the end of the season. He said that even if Hasek's GAA is 3 at the end of the year he needs to be the starter.

I want Hasek too -- I think he's one of my favouritre goalies ever. But if he s--ts the bed the rest of the season then I guess you gota go with the hot hand.

Ozzy will most likely be the starter next season and maybe the season after... might as well get him some practice

[Grittzkey 1]

This is so last month.

[eva unit zero 271]

I can't help but think though that in 1998 with Ozzie in net the defense had a lot to do with the Cup win. This is not to say that Ozzie didn't play well. He did play well and had some really great games. But I feel that in 2002 Hasek really stood out. Almost everyone agreed that he was a candidate for the Conn Smythe trophy that year as MVP of the playoffs.

You fail, and here's why:

Dominik Hasek finished outside the top five in Smythe voting. Chris Osgood finished second.

Dominik Hasek had TWO defensemen finish ahead of him; Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios, both of whom were also First-Team All-Stars and 1-2 in Norris voting that season. Chris Osgood had ZERO defenseman finish ahead of him in Smythe voting. Osgood also had only one Norris contender, Lidstrom, who finished second in Norris voting and was a first-teamer.

You can give all the reasons such as intimidation factor...but 'because he stood out more on his Cup team' is not one of them, as it's factually incorrect.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

This is so last month.

no kidding. how many times will we do this before the playoffs?

[wings_fanatic 677]

To be honest, I like Ozzy, but i like Dom more. Dom is my favorite goalie of all time, and since December 4th, has played better than Ozzy. Dom really picked his game up and is playing really solid goal tending. Ozzy on the other hand has been up and down as of late.... and personally, I do not think Ozzy plays as good as Dom under pressure. Come playoff time, Dom, no matter how good he is at the time, shifts to another gear... so Id feel better with Dom in net in the playoffs...

Also, do you guys notice now how Babs is starting Dom against teams that are more threatening? H changed the order to have Ozzy play the Kings and now the Cyotes... and made it so Dom started against Vancouver, in San Jose, and against the DUcks.... that just makes me think more that he is getting Dom ready for number1...

[Booster313 138]

This is so last month.

You know it's old news when Grittzkey isn't taking the opportunity to take a swing at Dom....LOL

[dallas27 7]

And you wonder why I say the only reason Hasek will be starting come playoff time is because of the name on the back of his jersey. Before people jump on me, yes, Hasek has been playing MUCH better, it was only a matter of time, but Osgood has been better the whole season. But... this thread is just the same ol' song and dance.

[tazzer82 0]

Please not this again.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

That's what I told my buddy -- dude who wrote the blog post. I think Hasek will be the #1 by the end of the season. He said that even if Hasek's GAA is 3 at the end of the year he needs to be the starter.

I want Hasek too -- I think he's one of my favouritre goalies ever. But if he s--ts the bed the rest of the season then I guess you gota go with the hot hand.

BTW, if Hasek "sh*ts the bed" as you say, wouldn't Ozzie only need a room temperature hand to be an upgrade?

The fact of the matter is that the name Hasek does strike more fear in the heart of other players, but it doesn't mean much if Dom is off his game, and Ozzie continues to play as consistently as he has been. Regardless of what other players think of Ozzie when they're skating in, all that matters is whats going on in Ozzie's head. Right now, what seems to be going on is "Nobody's gonna score on me tonight". His record proves that this season.

That being said, I'm more comfortable with either goalie tending net than I have been in years. I don't mind if Dom is the starter come playoff time. The only thing I want to see is no matter which goalie gets the nod, they better play beyond stellar because I would think either guy would be ready to step in at any time.

Edited January 30, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[puckloo39 5,686]

And you wonder why I say the only reason Hasek will be starting come playoff time is because of the name on the back of his jersey. Before people jump on me, yes, Hasek has been playing MUCH better, it was only a matter of time, but Osgood has been better the whole season. But... this thread is just the same ol' song and dance.

If Dom starts in the playoffs, perhaps it's because Hasek has been better for a longer period of time and more consistently. Barring injury*, Dom will play every game in the playoffs, I suspect.

I would be interested to see them play tandem/tag team. Knowing how they work and play so well together, it could work fine even though it's unusual. What's "usual" about any of this? At least Ozzie and Dom don't seem to have a problem with one another -- unlike their fans in this forum.

*be careful what you wish for.

Edit: one other comment -- if Hasek is starting the playoffs only because of the name on the back of his jersey, one might want to consider what he had done in his career to merit such consideration. Hasek may be one of a half-dozen names in hockey that casual fans recognize. There's a reason for that.

Edited January 30, 2008 by puckloo39

[redeyedwings 2]

If Dom starts in the playoffs, perhaps it's because Hasek has been better for a longer period of time and more consistently. Barring injury*, Dom will play every game in the playoffs, I suspect.

I would be interested to see them play tandem/tag team. Knowing how they work and play so well together, it could work fine even though it's unusual. What's "usual" about any of this? At least Ozzie and Dom don't seem to have a problem with one another -- unlike their fans in this forum.

*be careful what you wish for.

Edit: one other comment -- if Hasek is starting the playoffs only because of the name on the back of his jersey, one might want to consider what he had done in his career to merit such consideration. Hasek may be one of a half-dozen names in hockey that casual fans recognize. There's a reason for that.

To be fair ... if you read the article, the guy makes clear that he really likes Osgood. I really like Osgood, too. I don't think anybody could have been a Wings fan in the 90s and not like the guy. He gives everything he has every game he starts. I just agree with the author that the mental aspect of what Dom brings to the table is far more than Ozzie.

I mean, they don't tell stories around the league about Osgood refusing to be scored on in practice, do they? Stuff like that can get in a team's head.

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

You fail, and here's why:

Dominik Hasek finished outside the top five in Smythe voting. Chris Osgood finished second.

Dominik Hasek had TWO defensemen finish ahead of him; Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios, both of whom were also First-Team All-Stars and 1-2 in Norris voting that season. Chris Osgood had ZERO defenseman finish ahead of him in Smythe voting. Osgood also had only one Norris contender, Lidstrom, who finished second in Norris voting and was a first-teamer.

You can give all the reasons such as intimidation factor...but 'because he stood out more on his Cup team' is not one of them, as it's factually incorrect.

I just don't think Osgood played as well in the playoffs in 1998 as Hasek did in 2002. You can give all the facts you want, but that is my opinion. It is just my opinion, and I am not saying it is right or wrong or that everyone else should agree. If you think Ozzie was better in '98, then that's great. I just personally do not. However, I think my post made it pretty clear that I am a bigger fan of Ozzie's than I am of Hasek's (although I do like Dom). It was not a personal attack on Ozzie. Geez.

[gowingsgo 3]

As long as he's healthy Dom's our guy

[dallas27 7]

If Dom starts in the playoffs, perhaps it's because Hasek has been better for a longer period of time and more consistently. Barring injury*, Dom will play every game in the playoffs, I suspect.

And then I would just give you this link, http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app. If we are talking consistency then how do you NOT go with Osgood, he has been nothing but the whole season.

I would be interested to see them play tandem/tag team. Knowing how they work and play so well together, it could work fine even though it's unusual. What's "usual" about any of this? At least Ozzie and Dom don't seem to have a problem with one another -- unlike their fans in this forum.

At this point I'm sure all Hasek wants is another cup, he has everything else, so he could probably put his ego aside and it could work out. Although I don't think it would be the best option.

Edit: one other comment -- if Hasek is starting the playoffs only because of the name on the back of his jersey, one might want to consider what he had done in his career to merit such consideration. Hasek may be one of a half-dozen names in hockey that casual fans recognize. There's a reason for that.

That's exactly why I say it, I wouldn't say it otherwise. He will be going into the hall of fame once he retires.

[HoweHatTrick 0]

There are a lot worse problems we could have going into the playoffs. Frankly, I don't care who starts, as long as we're still playing in June.

[edicius 3,269]

That's what I told my buddy -- dude who wrote the blog post. I think Hasek will be the #1 by the end of the season. He said that even if Hasek's GAA is 3 at the end of the year he needs to be the starter.

And that's the mentality that killed us with Legace when we lost to to the Oilers; he was named playoff starter way too soon and then when his play didn't hold up into the end of the season. I don't think we should even be considering a playoff starter until the last week of the regular season.

[Barrie 900]

I have no problems rotating them in the playoffs like we're currently doing. Who says we have to go with just one guy? It's working now, and if the decision to name a #1 guy is to tough to make, just use them both. Who knows, in the 3rd and 4th rounds ( ) they'll be fresher than the opposition's goalie.

[interminded 1]

I think we will acquire Lalime before the trade deadline and he will start.

He's a proven playoff contender and all this discussion will end !