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

[clutchngrab 12]

Osgood also wasn't playing like s*** before Howard got those 12 magical starts in a row, so there is your revisionist history for you.

I don't think he was playing all that special - just marginally adequate. I think Zack broke that down reasonably well a page or so ago.

[Yzerman19 334]

This is so fun to read.... Reminds me of 2008 when no one thought Ozzy coul bring us the cup, and there he was, stellar than ever.

SO yeah everyone has the right to have his opinion, but just remember what he did before talking some crap like that. Yeah he is a pro and should be sharp anytime, but he like everyone, Human.

This means that regrdless how much you are paid, regardless how many experience you have, you just get rusty when you haven't done anything for a long time.

This year the defence has been really bad, it was last year too, so i think that the wings should help him getting his confidence back.

It is like you playing video games, if you don't during one month you aren't as good as you were. It is like playing whatever sports, don't compete for 20 games and we'll see if you are as sharp as you were.

So before criticizing, just think about how you would be in this same situation.

Getting osgood his confidence back will start by the fact that we should be able to keep a 2 goal lead way more often than what we did.

Reminds me of legace in 2006, everyone talked s*** about him because of his inexperience in the playoffs, it is funny about how ppl forget about the previous achievments.

But whatever, we all know you would do better aye? So why don't you try the training camp next year?

Why not starting a thread about Zetterberg being done too??? what... he was injured???? So was osgood if i remember..... Z has been playing for 4-5 games and is far from being 100%. How did osgood play since his return??? 3-4 i think...

Here are the math done for you. Give him a break, and remember this when we'll be in the playoffs, when howard won't be good enough because of inexperience and when osgood will save the day.

Oh yeah one last things.... Everybody was in doubt when we saw howard this season.... Why so, because he had very few NHL experience and was not that good in those 6 games in played in 2 seasons. Now he is good... why so? because he plays more.

Just think about it... cheers

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Ozzy should at least get a shot at making his way above 400 wins. I'd like to see him get 420 before he retires. If that means keeping him around another year or two as a back-up so be it. He's still got hockey left in him. Plus we know Ozzy can get himself out of bad slumps but it takes big blocks of playing time to get him there. That's the big problem right now. Babs can't afford to give him time to get back into his groove.

[AtomicPunk 296]

This team does not score goals like previous Wings teams, therefore, they need a better effort in net every night.

This coming from a guy who has a framed Osgood jersey on his wall over my desk as I type, but Howard gives them the best chance to win right now. Who knows, after the Olympics, maybe things change, but I can't see Howard (rookie of the year candidate) getting benched for Osgood right now.

[Guest zackmorris]

I don't think he was playing all that special - just marginally adequate. I think Zack broke that down reasonably well a page or so ago.

Thanks.

Just forget it though man, people will cling to that like a security blanket. I didn't see them say it until they started feeling like they were fighting a losing battle.

Ozzie was nothing to write home about before this break of his, we've been over it but they ignore it.

[Vladifan 680]

>>>>

There is no debating it, Ozzie is the s***s this year. You can see who the true fanboys are when they just have to make s*** up.

>>>>

Ozzie hasn't shown a thing this year to warrant any respect. You're getting to the point where if he makes a routine save you'll be telling us we were wrong about him.

You know what's really sad about this?

Ozzie has always spoken very highly about you.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Thanks.

Just forget it though man, people will cling to that like a security blanket. I didn't see them say it until they started feeling like they were fighting a losing battle.

Ozzie was nothing to write home about before this break of his, we've been over it but they ignore it.

Once again, the ad hom attacks continue with you.

Osgood wasn't anything "special" but he had some great games (Nashville, Boston, Chicago, Washington) and, shocking, actually stole one or two for Detroit. It was a huge improvement over the year prior so I don't see why people thought it was a good idea to put Howard in for 12 straight starts when Osgood wasn't playing like "s***".

I would like to make it clear I am not saying Osgood is playing better than Howard, he deserves more starts than Howard, or that he even deserves the same amount as Howard. I am saying he deserves at least a start every 4 or 5 games. Howard is a rookie and if people really think he is going to be the playoff goaltender then he needs to not be overworked.

Now is that not a reasonable position? Or am I still considered a homer for saying Osgood has anything left in the tank?

Clutch: Osgood was Detroit's MVP (arguably Zetterberg) in the playoffs last year, and despite what you think about not having to steal games, Detroit's shot totals against went UP in the playoffs. Osgood wasn't the only reason the Wings made it as far as they did, but he was probably the biggest reason.

Edited February 2, 2010 by Doc Holliday

[StormJH1 231]

I posted earlier in this thread and broke down why I thought Osgood's game has suffered and Howard needs to be the guy for now.

But all of this is a moot point if we get into the playoffs and go down 0-2. Is anyone under any dellusion that Howard would not be pulled in favor of Osgood in that situation? In Round 1 of the '08 Playoffs, the Wings were actually up 2-0, lost two to Nashville to tie it at 2-2, and Dominik Hasek was pulled in favor of Osgood in a tied series!

I think if things continue as they are (and we sneak in as a 7th or 8th seed), you have to take a look at Howard to see if he's the guy. If it doesn't work for the two road games, you put Osgood back in at the Joe for Game 3 and try to recapture that '08 and '09 magic.

[clutchngrab 12]

Wings rolled through Columbus and Chicago (for the most part). They had a tough series with Anaheim, in which - in my opinion - Hiller outplayed Osgood. Then the finals, where the team - including Osgood - started to falter and ultimately lost. He wasn't my MVP, just did his job.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Wings rolled through Columbus and Chicago (for the most part). They had a tough series with Anaheim, in which - in my opinion - Hiller outplayed Osgood. Then the finals, where the team - including Osgood - started to falter and ultimately lost. He wasn't my MVP, just did his job.

You seem to be one of the few who holds this opinion:

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...es_chris_o.html

His teammates agree with the assessment that Osgood and Zetterberg were the two frontrunners for playoff MVP had the Wings won the last series.

"He's been huge for us all playoffs, he's been showing why he's got Hall-of-Fame numbers,'' Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall said Saturday, following his team's 5-0 win in Game 5. "He's one of the best goaltenders to ever play the game. Just his experience (shows) from game to game. Games like this are when you really want a guy in net like Chris.''

"He's got the perfect demeanor for a goalie,'' Kirk Maltby said. "Under pressure situations, you don't know if he's bothered, don't know if he's mad. He just goes out there and stops the puck. And he has fun.''

"He's got the perfect demeanor for a goalie,'' Kirk Maltby said. "Under pressure situations, you don't know if he's bothered, don't know if he's mad. He just goes out there and stops the puck. And he has fun.''

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09163/976892-61.stm

Those two guys have been the ones playing real well for us throughout the whole playoffs. They've been carrying us, I think," said Lidstrom, a four-time Stanley Cup winner with Detroit and a six-time Norris Trophy winner as the top defenseman in the league.

"[Osgood] has been stellar since the playoffs started. He's been calm and collected in the net, and I think that spreads through the team, gives the team confidence."

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/31333762/ns/sports-nhl/

A lot of critics have been on him, and he played unbelievable,†teammate Henrik Zetterberg said. “In my mind, he was the best goalie in the playoffs.

Your opinion is your own, I suppose.

[clutchngrab 12]

Of course teammates are going to gush - that's what teammates do. I think he did a good job too.

[KonstantAdvisor 4]

Saw this coming a mile away. If anyone is saying Ozzie isn't a lost cause, I'd love to know what they're basing it on, because it can't be play this season. Which is all that matters.

Just because I think he should stick around doesn't mean I think he isn't a lost cause. The trade would just be more hassle than it's worth. There is a salary cap in place and he has a contract, may as well let him finish it out, rather than losing anything just to get rid of him.

Lost cause. Those are your words. If contract and salary cap didn't make it complicated, you would get rid of him, based on this season.

LOL Osgood is one of the worst shootout goalies in the league, but even if you disagree I'll let you in on a little secret. The game would have been over in the first period if he was playing in that game. You get 4 out of 5 starts though for stirring the pot though.

When a rookie is marginally adequate, you don't call the performance 's***.' There is no reason to call a starter's performance that is adequate 's***.' And Osgood is not even close to "one of the worst shootout goalies in the league."

Having said that, I think the real factor in the run, and throughout Ozzies career as a Wing, has been less about his performance - which has ranged from adequate/good to inconsistent - than the performance of the skaters in front of him. He just has never proved to be more than a slightly above average NHL goalie in his prime who happened to play on a great team. (BTW, I think Roy and Fuhr are highly overrated for similar reasons).

Even if I am completely nuts, how long can you play the odds that regular season performance is not indicative of playoff performance? That's not how sports works - at least for coaches and GMs who have to worry about keeping their jobs.

You're not really talking about regular season performance, though. You are talking about performance when the team isn't playing its best, when guys are injured early during the regular season, when half the team is called up from GR, when guys coming off injuries miss defensive cues. It is too bad Osgood has not lived up to your standards, but you do sound nuts. Winning the starting job and not having confidence in your backup are two different positions that mean different things. At the beginning of this year, people knew Osgood was not going to play a huge number of games, but he was "behind Jimmy 100 percent."

Osgood is winless since December 12th in Nashville (4-3) but started the season 6-2-2. Howard has taken his game to the next level, from 'average' in October to 'phenomenal' almost every night. Now you can say we have confidence in Howard, but why trash a goalie who won all those games with Franzen out the first week against the top-tier, healthy, teams in the league (Chicago, Washington, LA, and San Jose).

I've read the above-type crap about Osgood not being that good since 1994 and it has never, not once, helped the team win. If you're taking the perspective that Osgood is a liability to the team, I think you're wrong.

Thanks.

Just forget it though man, people will cling to that like a security blanket. I didn't see them say it until they started feeling like they were fighting a losing battle.

Ozzie was nothing to write home about before this break of his, we've been over it but they ignore it.

You quoted clutchngrab, but I don't see how your posts relate to the one you quoted.

Nowhere do you suggest Osgood was 'marginally adequate'. You say you've defended Osgood before, yadda yadda. Now, according to you, Osgood is a lost cause who mouths off to the press and let's just be done with the conversation unless we're gonna bash him. Do I have that right? Don't let me put words in your mouth, here. It's one thing to build Howard's confidence by giving him more starts when he is hot but it's another to project only the recent past on a goaltender's abilities and write them off when the team isn't playing their best.

If you're pissed about the loss, that's one thing. I'm not going to defend Osgood's play during the Minnesota game - he knows what is expected of him and he has to bring it every night, cold or not - but you all seem to have a shoddy recollection of exactly how the season started this year. I'll just leave it at that.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Of course teammates are going to gush - that's what teammates do. I think he did a good job too.

Zetterberg didn't just gush. He said he thought Osgood was the best goaltender in the playoffs.

The writers weren't gushing. They were stating what was considered the obvious opinion: that Osgood and Zetterberg were Detroit's undisputed best players. Their teammates and the experts agreed with that assessment.

And even if we disregard that, does a washed up goaltender do a "good job" by helping his team to two straight finals in a row?

Edited February 2, 2010 by Doc Holliday

[Pucks 66]

Some of you need to go back and watch the 08 playoffs again, I have a couple more times through. Your remembering things that never happened. Franzen would have won the Con Smythe by a landslide if he didn't get injured. Osgood in most of those games especially the first two home games of each of those series literally, just had to stand in goal like a cardboard cutout. The play was in the other teams end the entire game.

He was having to stop a combined 10 shots per 2 periods of play. Go watch it again. He also let in some weak goals, but nobody remembers them because we were scoring 4 and 5 goals a game. Colorado and Dallas were beat up, tired and injured. The only tough teams he face was the Ducks and Pens both years, and he struggled to seal the deal against them. He was good, bot not anything special when you consider the shots he had to stop. He made some nice saves and had some nice games, but he also let in some soft goals IMO.

I know people will remember him as some kind of hero despite what common sense will show. He went as far the past two years as the team would take him, just like he has his whole career. This is the first time he's been here when we're not a powerhouse in the league and the only place he can lead is to a chance to get Taylor Hall.

Carry on.

Edited February 2, 2010 by Pucks

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Some of you need to go back and watch the 08 playoffs again, I have a couple more times through. Your remembering things that never happened. Franzen would have won the Con Smythe by a landslide if he didn't get injured. Osgood in most of those games especially the first two home games of each of those series literally, just had to stand in goal like a cardboard cutout. The play was in the other teams end the entire game.

I'm talking about the 09 playoffs. Check the quotes and my posts because it seems you aren't really reading what I'm putting out there. (P.S. I believe Zetterberg still deserved the Conn Smyth due to his performance in the 08 finals. He was probably the single-most reason Crosby failed to do much other than in game 3)

Also, no goalie ever needs to just stand in goal. Every team gets a chance or two and he did fine in getting a 1.55 GAA and .930 sv%. Average or not, you don't put up those numbers just by standing in goal like a cutout.

He was having to stop a combined 10 shots per 2 periods of play. Go watch it again. He also let in some weak goals, but nobody remembers them because we were scoring 4 and 5 goals a game. Colorado and Dallas were beat up, tired and injured. The only tough teams he face was the Ducks and Pens both years, and he struggled to seal the deal against them. He was good, bot not anything special when you consider the shots he had to stop. He made some nice saves and had some nice games, but he also let in some questionable goals IMO.

Okay, what? He had to stop between 20 and 30 shots. Once again I'm not saying Osgood did "amazing" in the 08 playoffs because that Detroit team was amazing with puck possession, but his benefit can't be discounted simply because of the team in front of him. Hasek had that same team and lost it, despite posting similar numbers as Osgood during the regular season.

And once again, you can disagree with the players, coaches, and media all you want regarding Osgood's performance in the 09 playoffs. That's your call.

I know people will remember him as some kind of hero despite what common sense will show. He went as far the past two years as the team would take him, just like he has his whole career. This is the first time he's been here when we're not a powerhouse in the league and the only place he can lead is to a chance to get Taylor Hall.

Carry on.

Hero? I am not calling him a hero, and you seem to be full of strawmen arguments and such to make it seem like I'm some fanatical Osgood supporter who thinks without him the Wings would be playing like crap.

Second, Osgood played with "non powerhouse" teams in St. Louis and New York and posted a winning record every year with those teams and made the playoffs as well.

Third, you have no idea what position the team would be in if Osgood was playing the majority of the games, because it is a purely hypothetical scenario. Back at the beginning of the season we could have said the same regarding BOTH of the goalies (remember the Sweden debacle?).

Carry on, yourself.

[Guest zackmorris]

You know what's really sad about this?

Ozzie has always spoken very highly about you.

lol

we still play checkers and drink tea on sundays

[Guest zackmorris]

Lost cause. Those are your words. If contract and salary cap didn't make it complicated, you would get rid of him, based on this season.

"if it didn't make it complicated"

You made my point for me. This isn't NHL 10, you don't just toss aside your lost causes and raid the bargain bin. He has a contract, he has experience incase he has to go in and is a valuable mentor for Jimmy. His play though was the lost cause I was talking about. A trade wouldn't be worth it for obvious reasons.

Nowhere do you suggest Osgood was 'marginally adequate'. You say you've defended Osgood before, yadda yadda. Now, according to you, Osgood is a lost cause who mouths off to the press and let's just be done with the conversation unless we're gonna bash him. Do I have that right? Don't let me put words in your mouth, here. It's one thing to build Howard's confidence by giving him more starts when he is hot but it's another to project only the recent past on a goaltender's abilities and write them off when the team isn't playing their best.

They don't set up parades and hand out trophies for some nice play last season. I defended him based on last season before, but right now, he's losing it and it's not a matter of numbers or statistics when I say, I just think he's lost it. He's smaller and has always relied on qiuckness, lateral movement and reaction time. He looks like the game is going too fast for him now. That's all. f*** what he did before.

[KonstantAdvisor 4]

I know people will remember him as some kind of hero despite what common sense will show. He went as far the past two years as the team would take him, just like he has his whole career. This is the first time he's been here when we're not a powerhouse in the league and the only place he can lead is to a chance to get Taylor Hall.

I think a hero will show their true colors when it counts and Zetterberg's perspective counts for a lot since he can't carry the play and keep the puck in the opposing zone all by himself.

You made my point for me. His play though was the lost cause I was talking about.

They don't set up parades and hand out trophies for some nice play last season. He looks like the game is going too fast for him now. That's all. f*** what he did before.

I made your point for you? You've got it mixed up, bub.

Seriously, though, people in this thread are going on about how Fuhr and Roy weren't that good now? Sure. Grant Fuhr and Patrick Roy are overrated. Fuhr didn't have the best GAA in 1986-87 when the Wings missed the finals by 1 goal margins during Yzerman's first year as captain. Same for Roy in 1995-96 when Colorado snuck past Vancouver in three 1-goal victories and Chicago with two, many in OT periods. The same year Roy won the Stanley Cup, Osgood lead the league in GAA tied with Hextall at 2.17 and posted a better record in the playoffs than Vernon as well - including two shutouts. Was Vernon a lost cause at 13-11-8 with an .899 save %? The next season seems to suggest otherwise but the established pattern in this thread likes to chalk everything up to having an 'unbeatable team' and the 'goalie wasn't a factor' if the Red Wing goaltender doesn't face a shooting gallery. Unless they didn't win the game. Then they're a lost cause.

Howard is gonna start until he shows some fatigue or stops posting wins. He's doing great and there is no reason to second-guess that. Projecting fear on Osgood after this team is healthy and firing on all cylinders is a dumb move, because Osgood is going back in the net eventually and everyone knows he can win and has done so against the top teams in the league already this season.

[Guest zackmorris]

I made your point for you? You've got it mixed up, bub.

Don't explain yourself or anything

You suggested dump him if it didn't make it complicated, but the thing is, it does. Like I said it's not as easy as just tossing aside players who don't play well.

Unless they didn't win the game. Then they're a lost cause.

You didn't just rip the whole conversation out of context, you raped it and pissed on the remains.

Howard is gonna start until he shows some fatigue or stops posting wins. He's doing great and there is no reason to second-guess that. Projecting fear on Osgood after this team is healthy and firing on all cylinders is a dumb move, because Osgood is going back in the net eventually and everyone knows he can win and has done so against the top teams in the league already this season.

Yeah...he's sure put up wins. A grand total of 7 out of 20. We don't know he can win based on this season, he does a ton more losing than winning.

I can't believe how illogical people get when they try to defend a certain player. The sheer amount of ridiculous bulls*** I've seen pulled out of absolutely nowhere is actually kind of funny. Anything to defend Osgood.

[KonstantAdvisor 4]

You suggested dump him if it didn't make it complicated, but the thing is, it does. Like I said it's not as easy as just tossing aside players who don't play well.

No, I rephrased what you suggested without your 'it's complicated' bit. So you're pissed at Osgood because of this season, but you don't cut him the same slack as the rest of the team.

You didn't just rip the whole conversation out of context, you raped it and pissed on the remains.

A little bit like your critique of Chris Osgood's goaltending.

Yeah...he's sure put up wins. A grand total of 7 out of 20. We don't know he can win based on this season.

Washington, San Jose, Chicago, LA. That's from October, not last season.

I can't believe how illogical people get when they try to defend a certain player. The sheer amount of ridiculous bulls*** I've seen pulled out of absolutely nowhere is actually kind of funny. Anything to defend Osgood.

Now 1997 doesn't count either, apparently. I like the sheer amount of words you pull out to describe the way Osgood put up a lousy game in front of Minnesota for his second start in thirty days. Talk about ridiculous some more...this is from the article linked at the beginning of this thread:

"I don't think we helped Ozzie out at all on some of the goals they scored," Lidstrom said.

Osgood, however, took some of the blame.

[Guest zackmorris]

No, I rephrased what you suggested without your 'it's complicated' bit. So you're pissed at Osgood because of this season, but you don't cut him the same slack as the rest of the team.

The team is never, ever going to come out and say the things I'm saying. They're his teammates.

A little bit like your critique of Chris Osgood's goaltending.

That doesn't even make sense, I just think you're getting a little lost here.

Washington, San Jose, Chicago, LA. That's from October, not last season.

Ugh, dude, you KNOW I'm just going to take this spin job and s*** on it right?

That makes up over 50% of his victories. That's no reason to start him. But since you mention it...

Islanders, Toronto, STL, Minnesota, Nashville, Florida....all teams he lost to. It's a double edged sword bud and the sharper end represents losses.

And c'mon, 4 wins against good teams doesn't erase his s*** season. Quit living in la-la land. It doesn't even make his month good.

Now 1997 doesn't count either, apparently. I like the sheer amount of words you pull out to describe the way Osgood put up a lousy game in front of Minnesota for his second start in thirty days. Talk about ridiculous some more...this is from the article linked at the beginning of this thread:

Ugh, you know Lidstrom won't come out and throw Ozzie under the bus. Ever.

We both know his job is to lie a little but if it suits your case, you'll pretend to think he's being totally honest. It's really cowardly and shows a lack of guts, frankly. I'd be ashamed to do what you're doing.

I dunno what the hell you're talking about with 1997. Everything I said still stands. The lengths some people will go to needlessly defend a certain player amaze me. Logic has officially been flushed down the s***ter.

Edited February 3, 2010 by zackmorris

[clutchngrab 12]

I think a hero will show their true colors when it counts and Zetterberg's perspective counts for a lot since he can't carry the play and keep the puck in the opposing zone all by himself.

I made your point for you? You've got it mixed up, bub.

Seriously, though, people in this thread are going on about how Fuhr and Roy weren't that good now? Sure. Grant Fuhr and Patrick Roy are overrated. Fuhr didn't have the best GAA in 1986-87 when the Wings missed the finals by 1 goal margins during Yzerman's first year as captain. Same for Roy in 1995-96 when Colorado snuck past Vancouver in three 1-goal victories and Chicago with two, many in OT periods. The same year Roy won the Stanley Cup, Osgood lead the league in GAA tied with Hextall at 2.17 and posted a better record in the playoffs than Vernon as well - including two shutouts. Was Vernon a lost cause at 13-11-8 with an .899 save %? The next season seems to suggest otherwise but the established pattern in this thread likes to chalk everything up to having an 'unbeatable team' and the 'goalie wasn't a factor' if the Red Wing goaltender doesn't face a shooting gallery. Unless they didn't win the game. Then they're a lost cause.

Howard is gonna start until he shows some fatigue or stops posting wins. He's doing great and there is no reason to second-guess that. Projecting fear on Osgood after this team is healthy and firing on all cylinders is a dumb move, because Osgood is going back in the net eventually and everyone knows he can win and has done so against the top teams in the league already this season.

My point wasn't that these guys were not good goalies, only that the success of goaltender position is a function of the 5 skaters in front of him. I would not put Osgood or Roy or Fuhr in the same league as say Hasek due to the quality of the teams these guys played behind. Cujo, Potvin, Hextall were all great goalies on less than stellar teams that I believe would have been as successful if they played on the same caliber of teams.

[clutchngrab 12]

Osgood is going back in the net eventually and everyone knows he can win and has done so against the top teams in the league already this season.

Really? You think Osgood is gonna be back? That's pretty funny. My my my you are one delusional puppy. Here are your meds, let me check under your tongue to make sure you've taken them.

Only way Oz is back is if Jimmie falls down the stairs, the wings get a gap in the standings or hell freezes over. Not necessarily in that order.

My hope is that we cement 6th or 7th so that Oz can prove once and for all how absolutely cooked he is and the debate can be over.

[Guest Crymson]

Some of you need to go back and watch the 08 playoffs again, I have a couple more times through. Your remembering things that never happened. Franzen would have won the Con Smythe by a landslide if he didn't get injured. Osgood in most of those games especially the first two home games of each of those series literally, just had to stand in goal like a cardboard cutout. The play was in the other teams end the entire game.

He was having to stop a combined 10 shots per 2 periods of play. Go watch it again. He also let in some weak goals, but nobody remembers them because we were scoring 4 and 5 goals a game. Colorado and Dallas were beat up, tired and injured. The only tough teams he face was the Ducks and Pens both years, and he struggled to seal the deal against them. He was good, bot not anything special when you consider the shots he had to stop. He made some nice saves and had some nice games, but he also let in some soft goals IMO.

I know people will remember him as some kind of hero despite what common sense will show. He went as far the past two years as the team would take him, just like he has his whole career. This is the first time he's been here when we're not a powerhouse in the league and the only place he can lead is to a chance to get Taylor Hall.

Carry on.

Yay for revisionist history.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

You all can say what you want but Osgood didn't rack up all those wins in his career by accident. They didn't just fall out of the sky. He's arguably been the best goalie, when it has counted most, in the past 2 postseasons. This is not a call to suggest playing Osgood over Howard in the present or to even play Osgood more presently. The Wings don't have the luxury to experiment per se, fighting for every point they can for the playoffs. Presently, Howard has proved he's the man for the time being. Not that hard to figure out. This is just a quick post to not forget what Osgood has meant to this organization over the majority of his career. It's just said that we've got to have a'holes on here that always have to say "I told you so" if/when Osgood has a bad game or want to see him fail (that last part might be a stretch but it would not shock me if that are some that want to see him lose).