When Does Osgood Start?

[Zion 93]

Jimmy Howard has shown a little sloppiness in his play lately. I understand that if the Wings make the playoffs, that Osgood will start... or will he? Is he even in game shape (mentally) at the current moment?

That said, I think Jimmy has a terrific shot at the Calder Trophy, especially with all of the talk of Tyler Myers and John Tavares. I think he'll be a BIG reason the Wings get there, and like Blackhawk fans wondering if Niemi gets the nod over Huet, does Babcock give Jimmy Howard a playoff start?

[edicius 3,269]

As much as I like Osgood, I have to think that Babcock goes with Howard as the #1 the rest of the way, including - if we make them - the playoffs. If Jimmy falters at that point, we have a Stanley Cup winning goaltender to fall back on. I don't foresee Ozzie getting any more than perhaps two more starts this season. He'll have to wait until next season to get his 400 wins.

Quenneville would be stupid to play Huet over Niemi in the playoffs, seeing as Huet doesn't have playoff success in the first place - how much worse could Niemi be, even as an unknown postseason quantity? But this is Joel Quenneville we're talking about, so anything could happen with them.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

Never.

Okay, maybe not never but he is not in the position to play a game. It is Howard or bust.

[Carman 387]

Osgood starts when Howard has a horrid game and loses.

[MCleveland89 122]

Osgood starts when Howard has a horrid game and loses.

Or when Howie's let in 4 goals after two periods and Babcock throws him out there for s***s and giggles.

[Guest lilja4mvp]

hopefully never.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

In a weak moment; the commitment to Howard has been made. Or, in the event of... I'm not even going to say it.

[Guest mindfly]

Maybe @ vancouver? the next back-to-back game.

[SDavis35 140]

Maybe @ vancouver? the next back-to-back game.

This would be interesting... I'm thinking send Ozzie in against the Oilers (if he loses to them, well... no need fore playoffs, our dignity is gone)

Although, Howard's worst games seem to come against the Canucks... at least those I remember (5-4 W and 6-3L) so maybe try the near guarantee win with him in on Friday, send Ozzie to strut his stuff on Saturday.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

He'll have to play one of these games to give Howard rest, but no way is he the playoff goalie, after doing nothing to help the team get to the playoffs.

Babcock has stated that Howard is the number one guy and has acted like it.

[Marty Barry 230]

I'm not ready to throw Ozzie under the bus yet. A lesson learned a long time ago.

[Guest Howard He Do It?!]

Best time to start Ozzie is against Edmonton on Friday considering that Ozzie hasn't played in what seems like forever.

Edited March 14, 2010 by Howard He Do It?!

[superstarsingh 23]

I think he will play one of the upcoming games against the Oilers, likely Friday. There is an outside chance that he starts against the Pens (Eastern opponent) but even that does not seem too realistic.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

I think he will play one of the upcoming games against the Oilers, likely Friday. There is an outside chance that he starts against the Pens (Eastern opponent) but even that does not seem too realistic.

I hope Max Talbot doesn't play in that game.

[chrisdetroit 189]

As much as I like Osgood, I have to think that Babcock goes with Howard as the #1 the rest of the way, including - if we make them - the playoffs. If Jimmy falters at that point, we have a Stanley Cup winning goaltender to fall back on. I don't foresee Ozzie getting any more than perhaps two more starts this season. He'll have to wait until next season to get his 400 wins.

Quenneville would be stupid to play Huet over Niemi in the playoffs, seeing as Huet doesn't have playoff success in the first place - how much worse could Niemi be, even as an unknown postseason quantity? But this is Joel Quenneville we're talking about, so anything could happen with them.

And he showed his stupidity in 2008 when he stuck with Theodore in Colorado even when the Wings were shelling him. Remeber that playoff series? Franzen scored 9 goals in 4 games and Quenville refused to bench Theodore. He said repeatedly "he was the one that got us here so I'm sticking with him".

Quenville and Huet, the reason that Chicago won't go far...

[superstarsingh 23]

I hope Max Talbot doesn't play in that game.

I hope Brad Stuart doesn't play in that game. I'm kidding, Talbot will s*** his pants when he sees Lilja!

[DangleDangle13 1]

Ozzie's going to have to play at some point this year. I'm pretty sure Howard will be the starter through the playoffs. You can sort of look at it like Team Canada in the Olympics; the incumbent loses his job to the second-stringer, second-stringer then plays good enough to help the team reach the championship game. Now, I can see why people might think "go back to the proven veteran, the guy who's been here and done it before" but I guess Babs doesn't think that way, because as we all know Luongo was in goal for the gold medal game.

[cjm502 165]

We are going to play the hot goalie. Ozzy will get his chance, if he plays well he is in the next game. Ozzy just blows every chance he gets, so we go back to Howie.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I'd expect to see Osgood play one of these back-to-back games on Friday/Saturday, but unless Howard just falls off the face of the planet where he alone loses the team a game, then there's no reason to yank him as he's still been pretty solid lately overall, sans the Vancouver game where everyone was pretty much bad.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Osgood starts when Howard has a horrid game and loses.

Vancouver?

[KrazyGangsta 79]

Ozzie will probably get the start after the Calgary game.

[Pucks 66]

Next season, he's still under contract.

[titanium2 867]

Sometime this weekend probably.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him against the lowly Oilers.

[Guest mindfly]

I hoep osgood gets the start against a somewhat weaker team in edmonton rather than the hottest team in the west...