Chris Osgood proves Jimmy Howard should be in goal for Red Wings

[gcom007 1,465]

Hell, most people seem to forget that Howard gave up the same amount of goals in his last start as Osgood did.

Yeah, I find it a bit odd that people kept saying that Osgood let in 3 goals on his first 6 shots, but how many goals did Howard let in the night before on his last 5 shots???

I find it funny that some people insist on not only throwing Osgood under the bus over it, but now even Jimmy Howard with epic proclamations suggesting that both of our goalies suck. There's no objective way to look at the situation and not place a tremendous amount of blame on the defense for not giving either of our goalies a chance lately.

None the less, I think it makes sense to go with Howard tonight as he has shown himself to be the better goalie lately thus far. I don't think Osgood had much of a chance to get going in the last game, but he hasn't proven that he's going to outplay Howard yet either despite Howard cooling off. I think Osgood should get the next start or the one after that, but if Osgood doesn't win/play outstanding, there's no reason not to keep a rotation going for awhile.

Considering Howard hasn't looked as strong lately is all the more reason to keep Osgood going. While I've thought all along that Osgood would get the playoff nod in any event, if you were to go with the rookie, it would be because he was playing outlandishly good the whole way through. I'm not saying he sucks or the defense has helped him at all, but he's absolutely cooled off at this point. I'm not sure if he's just worn out or if that Chicago loss got to his head, but if he's not so hot down the stretch, more than ever you need to have Osgood ready to do his thing in the playoffs again.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Howard proves Howard should be in goal for the wings....again. Incredibly strong tonight.

[Yellowknife Redwing 57]

Howard proves Howard should be in goal for the wings....again. Incredibly strong tonight.

Disregarding posts and puck luck etc, if Osgood was in net tonight this game would have been 5-0 after the first period and that would have been all she wrote. Howard was absolutely outstanding once again and handled being completely hung out to dry for most of the night.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Howard proves Howard should be in goal for the wings....again. Incredibly strong tonight.

This.

[Guest Lidstromboli]

1a. howard

1b. stuart

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Disregarding posts and puck luck etc, if Osgood was in net tonight this game would have been 5-0 after the first period and that would have been all she wrote. Howard was absolutely outstanding once again and handled being completely hung out to dry for most of the night.

Really? Cause you know exactly what would have happened?

Howard had a great game and earned the start against Pittsburgh without a doubt. Hopefully Babs won't tire him out again.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Howard had a great game and earned the start against Pittsburgh without a doubt. Hopefully Babs won't tire him out again.

I don't know how it is you're so adamant that he was "tired" in the first place. He had two days off from his last start which obviously didn't end well, and he started a million games before that and before that, with only the occasional breather of Oz coming in. I don't see any indication that he's tired or was ever tired; simply that he won some games and lost some games.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

I don't know how it is you're so adamant that he was "tired" in the first place. He had two days off from his last start which obviously didn't end well, and he started a million games before that and before that, with only the occasional breather of Oz coming in. I don't see any indication that he's tired or was ever tired; simply that he won some games and lost some games.

*sigh*

Fair enough.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Regardless, it is important that Osgood gets at least 1 start every 5 or so games. Hopefully we can get in a groove where we don't need the absolute best goaltending we can get to wins games so we CAN fit Osgood in.

[gcom007 1,465]

I don't know how it is you're so adamant that he was "tired" in the first place. He had two days off from his last start which obviously didn't end well, and he started a million games before that and before that, with only the occasional breather of Oz coming in. I don't see any indication that he's tired or was ever tired; simply that he won some games and lost some games.

I think tired may not be the best way to put it. Being tired and "worn out" can even mean different things. What concerned/concerns me about riding Howard so much is as much mental as it is physical. The physical certainly can play a role in it though, as if you are a bit more tired after a long starting stretch and you lose a tough game, it can weigh all the harder on the mind. I think that's what happened in Chicago. I think his head became unhinged a bit in that game, and he expressed more frustration than he's ever shown at himself after with that stick slam. He hasn't looked as confident in the face since, and even tonight on those goals, he looked a little shaky. Hopefully the win and the overall great effort by him will help him shake any head issues, but time will tell. The defense isn't giving him any help.

And again, the reason why I think that's worth worrying about is quite frankly because he's a rookie. It's shaky territory to begin with, and the absolute biggest battle is the mental battle. Many, many goalies in this league have great rookie years only to crumble in subsequent years. When people say they got worn out or worn in the ground, I really don't think they mean physically. These guys are highly conditioned professional athletes and they're still young. It's a factor, but only for so long. But issues in the head can way far heavier for far longer. Some guys never figure out how to shake them.

I just think it'd be a shame for that to happen to Jimmy after he's show so much potential this year.

***EDIT***

When I said he looked shaky, I meant in the face, in that he looked troubled and discouraged. While some were bothered by the quality of goals, I am not suggesting that, and I don't include myself in the group of those who were bothered at all.

Edited January 30, 2010 by gcom007

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

*sigh*

Fair enough.

That came off as more abrasive than I intended, I'm not trying to be an *******. The way I see it Howard is still only on pace for 55 starts if everything stays as is (doubtful), well within the limits of what you'd except a starting goaltender to handle. Even though this is his first season in the NHL he played several seasons in the AHL handling those kind of starts. Of course he's had a few bad nights but he's bounced back well, so to me the only thing I'm looking out for at this point is a Legace-style meltdown.

Regardless, it is important that Osgood gets at least 1 start every 5 or so games. Hopefully we can get in a groove where we don't need the absolute best goaltending we can get to wins games so we CAN fit Osgood in.

I can't really guess what Mike is thinking but if I were him I'd set up a new gameplan at the latest for post-Olympic break and infuse more Ozzie into the rotation to presumably get him ready for the playoffs.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Disregarding posts and puck luck etc, if Osgood was in net tonight this game would have been 5-0 after the first period and that would have been all she wrote. Howard was absolutely outstanding once again and handled being completely hung out to dry for most of the night.

While Howard certainly played lights out tonight (and is still the guy to get the majroity of starts in all likelihood), and has been a bit better overall that Osgood's limited time in their recent slide, this is all just hyperbole and speculation on your part.

[Bannedforlife 403]

While Howard certainly played lights out tonight (and is still the guy to get the majroity of starts in all likelihood), and has been a bit better overall that Osgood's limited time in their recent slide, this is all just hyperbole and speculation on your part.

We've plenty of hearsay and conjecture. Those are kinds of evidence...

[Pucks 66]

While Howard certainly played lights out tonight (and is still the guy to get the majroity of starts in all likelihood), and has been a bit better overall that Osgood's limited time in their recent slide, this is all just hyperbole and speculation on your part.

A bit? Yeah just a smidge

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

A bit? Yeah just a smidge

Yep, just a bit, and I'm not joking. While Osgood certainly left a lot to be desired in the Minnesota game and his game at Washington, Howard until last night wasn't much more magnifique either during the stretch of recent bad games for the Wings. A lot also had to do with defense playing like ratpoo recently as well.

While there's no doubt Howard has played better over all, it isn't solely just Osgood not doing his part either and yelling "OSGOOD BAD! OSGOOD BAD BAD BAD!"

Continue to roll your eyes if it makes you feel more warm and fuzzy, but it hasn't just been about Osgood not playing well lately.

Red Wings goaltending, making Red Wings fans, generally speaking, sound like idiots more and more everyday.

[Yzermania 156]

That came off as more abrasive than I intended, I'm not trying to be an *******. The way I see it Howard is still only on pace for 55 starts if everything stays as is (doubtful), well within the limits of what you'd except a starting goaltender to handle. Even though this is his first season in the NHL he played several seasons in the AHL handling those kind of starts. Of course he's had a few bad nights but he's bounced back well, so to me the only thing I'm looking out for at this point is a Legace-style meltdown.

I can't really guess what Mike is thinking but if I were him I'd set up a new gameplan at the latest for post-Olympic break and infuse more Ozzie into the rotation to presumably get him ready for the playoffs.

people really still think ozzie is gonna start the playoffs?

[titanium2 867]

people really still think ozzie is gonna start the playoffs?

Well, Dom started in 08 when Ozzie had the better regular season. Ozzie started in 09 when Conklin had the better regular season. The playoffs are a different game and atmosphere and the Wings seem to prefer the player with the pedigree to start. Who knows though? If they make the playoffs then they might just follow a similar strategy to 96 I think it was where some games they pretty much kept Ozzie and Vernie guessing.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Well, Dom started in 08 when Ozzie had the better regular season. Ozzie started in 09 when Conklin had the better regular season. The playoffs are a different game and atmosphere and the Wings seem to prefer the player with the pedigree to start. Who knows though? If they make the playoffs then they might just follow a similar strategy to 96 I think it was where some games they pretty much kept Ozzie and Vernie guessing.

Osgood played in 09 because Conklin played terribly down the stretch.

[Yzermania 156]

Well, Dom started in 08 when Ozzie had the better regular season. Ozzie started in 09 when Conklin had the better regular season. The playoffs are a different game and atmosphere and the Wings seem to prefer the player with the pedigree to start. Who knows though? If they make the playoffs then they might just follow a similar strategy to 96 I think it was where some games they pretty much kept Ozzie and Vernie guessing.

I understand all that but this year is far different. It was far closer to an even split then during the regular season. Babs has made it pretty apparent that Howard is the go to guy. Obviously it could change, but if things stay how they are, well, as babs says, they're in the winning business and one goalie is giving them a chance to win, so that's who plays.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

I understand all that but this year is far different. It was far closer to an even split then during the regular season. Babs has made it pretty apparent that Howard is the go to guy. Obviously it could change, but if things stay how they are, well, as babs says, they're in the winning business and one goalie is giving them a chance to win, so that's who plays.

It's January.

[Chonmon 1]

Funny how after last night's game Jimmy has proven that he is our starter, and we are all very fortunate to have #35. Osgood says it'd be great if he could steal a game after letting in 5 friggin' goals, then jimmy comes in the next game and steals it. It's pretty obvious who the better goal tender is RIGHT NOW. Osgood is shaky, rusty, over-thinking, and most importantly he's lost all his confidence (which is huge for tenders).

Pretty obvious the stuff Ozzy has done for this team, but Jimmy is our #1. Only a fool would think otherwise at this point.

Edited January 30, 2010 by Chonmon

[Z and D for the C 712]

Well, Dom started in 08 when Ozzie had the better regular season.

I'm obliged to say that Hasek and Osgood had nearly identical stats that year.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Funny how after last night's game Jimmy has proven that he is our starter, and we are all very fortunate to have #35. Osgood says it'd be great if he could steal a game after letting in 5 friggin' goals, then jimmy comes in the next game and steals it. It's pretty obvious who the better goal tender is RIGHT NOW. Osgood is shaky, rusty, over-thinking, and most importantly he's lost all his confidence (which is huge for tenders).

Pretty obvious the stuff Ozzy has done for this team, but Jimmy is our #1. Only a fool would think otherwise at this point.

All of those things can be attributed more to Babcock than Ozzie.

[Yzermania 156]

It's January.

Notice how I said if things stay how they are...as in if Howard keeps playing good, I don't believe they will yank him just for ozzy's experience.

and technically, yes, it is january...for one more day. Then the olympics start in 2 weeks and then the NHL resumes in march which means there will only be a little over a month of hockey left. So playoffs are not as far away as you are hoping to make it look like.

[Broken 16 381]

All of those things can be attributed more to Babcock than Ozzie.

lol

This may be the first time I've heard anyone directly blame the coach because the back-up goaltender looks like s***. Genius.

Edited January 31, 2010 by Broken 16