12/31 GDT: Islanders 4 at Red Wings 3 OT)

[b.shanafan14 733]

Probably a good idea, because the once irrational, knee-jerk reactions to Howard's play on nights like this are becoming more grounded in reality lately.

The guy is not playing horrible, but he sure as hell is not playing that well lately. He's had a lot more less than flattering games lately and a lot less great games.

His game log for the last 20 isn't the prettiest site...

http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470657&season=20102011&view=gamelog

9 games with sub-.900 save % over the last 20; some worse than others. He's definitely had some solid efforts in there too, but he hasn't been nearly as consistent this year as he was last year.

And I don't want to read too much into it, but the last minute goals at the end of periods thing is really just strange. Certainly not all were horrible goals on his end to give up, but I have to wonder if there's a focus issue there, not just for him though but for this whole team. 19 minutes a period just isn't enough and I can't help but believe that we're probably leading in giving up last minute goals.

With Osgood playing better this year and putting up some real solid games lately, I think it's getting to be about time to get a more equal rotation going on until one of them can prove that they can get a role going. Osgood hasn't had the chance to do it and Howard simply hasn't been doing it lately. With the injuries piling up again, we can't afford to have inconsistent goaltending. Howard will be fine long-run, he's still a real talented goalie, but Osgood's proving that he's got something left and if he can be the hot hand, we need to get him in more games.

Well put. Obviously Howard hasn't been complete garbage, but with the recent play of Osgood in comparison, it hurts no one to get an even rotation. That way, both goaltenders are fresh heading into spring and we allow the position to work itself out. Though, if the Hudler situation - among others in previous seasons - are any indication, Babcock tends to prefer beating a dead horse back to life instead of changing the game plan. We'll have to see moving forward.

At the end of the day, Wings fans all have their (not-so-)hidden biases between two goaltenders, but the easiest way to please the masses is a win, and playing the hotter goalie is usually the best way to do so.

[Crashnburnluder 385]

I just hope we bounce back and come out strong against the flyers cause after tonight the Canucks will only be 1pt behind us with two games in hand. I know it's a rough stretch cause of injuries.... But time to really get to work and make a statement

[gcom007 1,465]

This forum is so funny. Blaming the refs for supposedly costing us the game and getting on Howard for letting in deflected shots when usually posters defend the goalie for allowing that type of goal.

That's why you can't throw Howard under the bus completely, but the puck's not hitting him like it was last year and he has been playing inconsistently at best for well over a month now. On top of that, Osgood's been playing a lot better and proving he has something left. Howard's not playing bad enough to be benched, but he's not playing well enough to be getting 4-5 starts for every 1 start from Osgood by a longshot. With injuries piling up, we can't afford to have inconsistent goaltending. It's simple as that. Osgood's playing well lately and ought to be given a chance to get something going if Howard isn't playing well enough to justify his many starts.

Compare Osgood's first 18 starts of last year (before his starts were separated by months...) with Howard's last 18. When you look at what Osgood was doing and how people reacted and compare it to Howard's starts lately, you see why there's some reason to the assertion that Howard isn't playing well enough to be playing as many games as he is with Osgood picking up his play lately.

Osgood's first 18 starts last year: 8 games below .800sv.% - http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8470657&season=20102011&view=gamelog

Howard's last 18 starts: 9 games belos .900 sv.% - http://redwings.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8458568&season=20092010&view=gamelog

Again, I'm really not saying Howard has been terrible by any means. Not calling for benching. Just saying, he's not playing that great lately and again, with Osgood playing notably well even in some of the losses, it's about time that the starts get balanced out to see what Osgood can do.

[gcom007 1,465]

Well put. Obviously Howard hasn't been complete garbage, but with the recent play of Osgood in comparison, it hurts no one to get an even rotation. That way, both goaltenders are fresh heading into spring and we allow the position to work itself out. Though, if the Hudler situation - among others in previous seasons - are any indication, Babcock tends to prefer beating a dead horse back to life instead of changing the game plan. We'll have to see moving forward.

At the end of the day, Wings fans all have their (not-so-)hidden biases between two goaltenders, but the easiest way to please the masses is a win, and playing the hotter goalie is usually the best way to do so.

I like to think I'm one of the few who's pretty objective about the goalies. I defend Osgood a lot, but it's only because I respect what he's done and believe he's still got something left. He's proven to me over and over to never underestimate him or write him off. On the other hand, you'll also finding me defending Howard on many nights when people are lashing out at him.

The only goalie I really, really didn't like and would definitely say I had a huge bias against was Legace, though even that I feel was objective distaste that ultimately proved to be reasonable. I was never the biggest Hasek fan either but even with Osgood playing better in 2008 during the regular season, I conceded that heading into the playoffs, you have to give Hasek a chance to be the Hasek he's capable of being.

Goalies get a lot of discussion because of the nature of their position, but they're just players like anyone else to me. They're usually never as bad as made out to be around here (see Osgood in the past and Howard lately) but they're oftentimes not remotely as good as people think (LEGACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).

[brett 1,029]

i think ozzie should have some consecutive starts...maybe howard is being over worked and needs a rest

[GoWings1905 2,694]

And flyers won 7-3 against the kings, a team detroit has yet to win against.

It's not looking very good, did you forgot how many injuries detroit have and have two rookies in the lineup, maybe eaves won't play on sunday either.. it's a bad situation.

The Flyers are losing to the Ducks. Red Wings are 3-0 against Anaheim.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Both you and i know Howard couldn't even be the starter in Montreal, he would be in Hamilton, so no need to discuss that further..it's definitely not his fault montreal lost some games the past weeks, he's still got good stats, you can't say the same about howard as he is one of the biggest reason's for detroit's losses.

why are you bringing up Howard again ? Im just calling you out on a comment you made 2 weeks ago about how Price was so amazing and some cyborg of a goalie, and now you have the nerve to say other people are clueless .

[robb himself 143]

Tatar looked sick out there!

watch out Hudler...

[Rivalred 630]

Tatar looked sick out there!

watch out Hudler...

Rolls stoned Hudler tonight...

Of course, Z had an empty net and blew it wide...

Go figure...

Edited January 1, 2011 by Rivalred

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Bleh. My record is now 1-0-2 this season at the Joe. Oh well. Happy New Year.

[commadore183 103]

Looking back on the Wings' last 10 games, there's one glaring thing about them: 8 of them had the Wings giving 3 or more goals.

Games where the Wings give up 3 goals:

12/27 against COL (W)

12/29 against DAL (W)

Games where the Wings give up 4 goals:

12/17 against CHI (L)

12/19 against DAL (L)

12/22 against VAN (W)

12/23 against STL (L)

12/31 against NYI (L)

Game where the Wings give up 5 goals:

12/13 against LAK (L)

Here's the goalies where they give up 3 or more goals:

Howard

12/13 against LAK: 5-0 loss

12/17 against CHI: 1-4 loss

12/22 against VAN: 4-5 win (OT)

12/29 against DAL: 7-3 win

12/31 against NYI: 4-3 loss (OT)

Osgood

12/19 against DAL: 4-3 loss (OT)

12/23 against STL: 4-3 loss

12/27 against COL: 4-3 win (OT)

Last 5 games for both goalies:

Howard:

12/17 against CHI: 1-4 L

12/22 against VAN: 4-5 (OT) W

12/26 against MIN: 4-1 W

12/29 against DAL: 7-3 W

12/31 against NYI: 4-3 (OT) L

Osgood:

12/04 against LAK: 2-3 (OT) L

12/11 against NJD: 4-1 W

12/19 against DAL: 4-3 (OT) L

12/23 against STL: 3-4 L

12/27 against COL: 4-3 W

Same number of games where 3 or more goals are scored against the goalies. Guys, don't you think that, maybe, just maybe, the defense isn't doing it's job? It's one thing to say Howie or Ozzie sucks when it's just that one goalie, but that isn't the case.

Again, it looks like the offense is going to have to score 4 or more goals to win games now .

[puckloo39 5,686]

Looking back on the Wings' last 10 games, there's one glaring thing about them: 8 of them had the Wings giving 3 or more goals.

Games where the Wings give up 3 goals:

12/27 against COL (W)

12/29 against DAL (W)

Games where the Wings give up 4 goals:

12/17 against CHI (L)

12/19 against DAL (L)

12/22 against VAN (W)

12/23 against STL (L)

12/31 against NYI (L)

Game where the Wings give up 5 goals:

12/13 against LAK (L)

Here's the goalies where they give up 3 or more goals:

Howard

12/13 against LAK: 5-0 loss

12/17 against CHI: 1-4 loss

12/22 against VAN: 4-5 win (OT)

12/29 against DAL: 7-3 win

12/31 against NYI: 4-3 loss (OT)

Osgood

12/19 against DAL: 4-3 loss (OT)

12/23 against STL: 4-3 loss

12/27 against COL: 4-3 win (OT)

Last 5 games for both goalies:

Howard:

12/17 against CHI: 1-4 L

12/22 against VAN: 4-5 (OT) W

12/26 against MIN: 4-1 W

12/29 against DAL: 7-3 W

12/31 against NYI: 4-3 (OT) L

Osgood:

12/04 against LAK: 2-3 (OT) L

12/11 against NJD: 4-1 W

12/19 against DAL: 4-3 (OT) L

12/23 against STL: 3-4 L

12/27 against COL: 4-3 W

Same number of games where 3 or more goals are scored against the goalies. Guys, don't you think that, maybe, just maybe, the defense isn't doing it's job? It's one thing to say Howie or Ozzie sucks when it's just that one goalie, but that isn't the case.

Again, it looks like the offense is going to have to score 4 or more goals to win games now .

Unless the D steps up, that's probably true. Missing Lilja more than one would have thought, perhaps.

This is not rational, it's factual information. Therefore, it won't make any difference to those who are biased one way or the other re: goalies.

[commadore183 103]

Unless the D steps up, that's probably true. Missing Lilja more than one would have thought, perhaps.

This is not rational, it's factual information. Therefore, it won't make any difference to those who are biased one way or the other re: goalies.

So true, unfortunately.

Happy New Year everyone! Stay safe out there all!

[Reilly 24]

I didn't think Howard was much at fault for tonight's game. All the goals that went in during regulation were strange. I mean, Lidstrom shot the puck in his own net for God's sake.

[Joey v3.4 45]

Rolls stoned Hudler tonight...

Of course, Z had an empty net and blew it wide...

Go figure...

z has basically the same points, goals, and shot percentage as Ovechkin.

Our GAA sucks. We need to start winning games with 3 goals.

In our defense, Islanders are on their first, and probably only hot streak of the year. They were almost bottom of the league at one point. They're just on a strong motivation stretch.

Considering the Wings won 3 straight prior to this, in a crammed schedule, is pretty good.

Wings still near the top. Got the point.

I call it even, and will now proceed to get so drunk that I don't remember new Years.

[jollymania 162]

Just got home from work, I see Tatar scored, it gets me pumped to watch this one

[_Kabrok_ 5]

How did Tatar do?

[titanium2 867]

Just got home from work, I see Tatar scored, it gets me pumped to watch this one

That's really the only part to look back on this game. I can't remember the last time a Red Wing looked so happy after a goal.

[skyphoenix 153]

I loved when Tatar flashed the logo after he scored. That was a pretty awesome celebration lol

[Guest Stolberg]

[jollymania 162]

yes yes yes yes it hit my stick

[clutchngrab 12]

This game was lost on bad defensive zone faceoffs pure and simple. Howard was not the issue, though 1 goal was questionable.

[Shady Ultima 40]

Wait, was this Tatar's first NHL game?

[VM1138 1,921]

Wait, was this Tatar's first NHL game?

Yes, and he looked fantastic!

[paulwoodsfan 52]

I loved when Tatar flashed the logo after he scored. That was a pretty awesome celebration lol

I'm hoping Tatar has a long, productive career with the Wings, but I didn't like that celebration st all. It was a "me" display on a team that wins by playing a "we" game. I have never seen any of the current Wings try to draw attention to themselves the way he did last night.