evilzyme 769 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 (edited) There was a funny little scene at the end of practice today, as coach Mike Babcock ended up using words that rarely cross his lips while deflecting talk of when Chris Osgood should get his next start. Babcock has a routine: One game at a time, he decides who's starting in goal. But with Osgood having hit 399 career victories Saturday at New Jersey, Babcock repeatedly has been asked of late when Osgood will get his next start. It won't be Wednesday, when the Wings host St. Louis, because Babcock said today that, as expected, Jimmy Howard will be in net. The Wings next play Friday at Chicago, Sunday at home against Dallas, Dec. 22 at home against Vancouver and then Dec. 23 at St. Louis. If nothing else, Osgood is certain to be in Dec. 23, as it's the second of a back-to-back game.But when a media member (not a beat writer, by the way) asked Babcock today whether he had a warm, gooey spot for letting Osgood go for No. 400 at home, Babcock was hilarious. "I never thought much about that," he said, smiling. "I thought about winning. And I thought Howie is starting tomorrow. But you guys have brought it to my attention that I should, so, now I'm going to go back, I'm going to sit in my office, I'm going to talk to the coaches. I'm going to say, 'Should we have a warm, gooey spot -- is that how I say it, warm, gooey? OK? See you guys." As nice as it might be to see Osgood become the 10th goaltender in NHL history to reach 400 victories at home, Babcock's bottom line, from the day he got here, has always been about winning. So if Howard plays well Wednesday, he'll be in Friday, and probably Sunday, too. Babcock isn't concerned with when Osgood reaches his milestone, just that he does. "I just want him to do it," Babcock said. "I don't care if that's at home or on the road. But I mean, we'll be thrilled for him when that happens. The good thing about it is, it's going to happen." Edited December 14, 2010 by evilzyme Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 Ew. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 That guy is all business. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate94gt 134 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 i was expecting to see oz tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
megaelixir 35 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 I'm incredibly bummed that Ozzie's not starting tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilzyme 769 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 Video; http://video.redwings.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=77&id=87446 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joey v3.4 45 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 Babcock being all business, is a good thing. Would be cool to see Ozzie win 400 at home, but it's good that Babcock sticks with what's "Best". Ozzie needs to get 400, but Babcock has an entire team to worry about, and one that is slumping a bit. His all business approach, wins a lot of hockey games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 You can't start Ozzie tomorrow just because of 400. It's the "team" that needs to get a win and sticking with Jimmy for confidence in him is the best option. Pulling him out for this less than good start to me is asinine and people on here know this. 400 will come this year, no worries. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sputman 1,268 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 Babcock being all business, is a good thing. Would be cool to see Ozzie win 400 at home, but it's good that Babcock sticks with what's "Best". mike babcock has been our best acquisition in the past 10 years. 4 Byorski, Travis, Nev and 1 other reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragonballgtz 273 Report post Posted December 14, 2010 I would rather have Ozzie play against Dallas instead of Vancouver. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate94gt 134 Report post Posted December 15, 2010 You can't start Ozzie tomorrow just because of 400. It's the "team" that needs to get a win and sticking with Jimmy for confidence in him is the best option. Pulling him out for this less than good start to me is asinine and people on here know this. 400 will come this year, no worries. How is it asinine? Howards been shaky and ozzie has played well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted December 15, 2010 If Howard is shaky tonight, Babcock should bench him, tell him to get his head in order just like he does with other players. Let Ozzie come in and see if he can turn his great game into a streak. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WizardOfOz30 1,886 Report post Posted December 15, 2010 If Howard is shaky tonight, Babcock should bench him, tell him to get his head in order just like he does with other players. Let Ozzie come in and see if he can turn his great game into a streak. I agree with this, but if it does happen Howard would only sit for 1 game because for some reason Babcock is afraid to play Ozzie in consecutive games. 2 Veery and GoWings1905 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
droz 5 Report post Posted December 15, 2010 I agree with this, but if it does happen Howard would only sit for 1 game because for some reason Babcock is afraid to play Ozzie in consecutive games. I don't think Babcock is "afraid" to play Osgood in back to backs, Howard is the starter. How many teams will play the backup for consecutive games without an injury or horrible play by the starter? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoWings1905 2,694 Report post Posted December 15, 2010 I don't think Babcock is "afraid" to play Osgood in back to backs, Howard is the starter. How many teams will play the backup for consecutive games without an injury or horrible play by the starter? I think Jimmy is nearing or has already surpassed that lately. 1 atodaso reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate94gt 134 Report post Posted December 15, 2010 (edited) Ozzie Started 2 in a row earlier this year I think anyways Edited December 15, 2010 by nate94gt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buppy 1,720 Report post Posted December 15, 2010 Stats for last 4 starts. Howard: 1-3-0, 15 GA, 3.79 GAA, 123 shots/108 saves, .878 save% Osgood: 2-1-1, 9 GA, 2.22 GAA, 119 shots/110 saves, .924 save% 2 atodaso and GoWings1905 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rivalred 630 Report post Posted December 17, 2010 Couple years ago Bab's didn't have a problem playing Ozzie in the Playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jesusberg 1,256 Report post Posted December 17, 2010 Osgood starting on the 23rd seems likely, as it's a back-to-back, but I'd really prefer them to hold off until the 31st. Let Osgood play the Islanders. Right now Dallas and Vancouver are the only other home games in December, and each team is at the top of their division. I'm down with Babcock's all business approach, but this is a pretty important milestone too. Let him do it at home with a higher chance of winning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted December 17, 2010 mike babcock has been our best acquisition in the past 10 years. Ooooh, now there's a thread. Babcock or Zetterberg? Babcock or Datsyuk? Anyway, Ozzie just needs to play, get it done and get it out the way. He's been on about 400 wins for a couple of years now so its clearly important to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites