Hockeytown_Ryan

You really should go back and review the first half of the season. In October, Osgood was getting no help but still many were saying he was the only reason we weren't getting blown out in many games. It wasn't so much that Osgood was bad so much as Howard got hot as hell for awhile and Babcock rode him. Then Osgood got pissed and ran his mouth (while his point, now more than ever, was probably valid, it was still a dumb move) and Babcock benches him even longer. Again, before Howard got going after the Toronto game in which Osgood was sick (leading to his being out a week and Howard getting a chance) and the team was horrible, Osgood had a shutout and 3 outstanding games (.950+ sv.% I believe).

Osgood getting benched had to do with Howard playing like a madman and then Osgood running his mouth. He absolutely was not playing nearly as bad as he did in the 2008/09 regular season leading up to it. I was one of the one's saying we needed to give Osgood more of a chance, and i still stand by that, but I'm also not ready to count Osgood out if we need him.

To me, it's really this simple: if Osgood's "bad" in the regular season was enough to bench him, Howard's "bad" thus far in the playoffs is just about enough to bench him.

I say start Howard in game 4 like most, and I'll certainly be cheering for him, but if he lets in 3 goals that aren't absolutely rock solid goals, in my mind, it's time to go to Osgood. The regular season is a different beast than the playoffs, and thus far, Howard has done nothing to prove that he's ready for it.

Again, I'm not saying he's done, and I don't think he's pulling a Manny Legace. I think he's a rookie learning a s***ty lesson. Maybe he'll get it together in game 4, but if not, it's time for him to start learning by watching again.

And I say that since it was argued all freaking season long that Howard is earning his starts then he is earning his losses too and should ride it out like a man... Let him LOSE!!!!! Osgood has been left on the bench so don't go to him when you know what you got right?? Howard has made his bed let him sleep in it kept hearing "It's his job, Its his job, he earned it..." OK lets see hoe badly he wants to play the next game and the one after that.....

Nah, he had a bad game today but he's not getting much help if any.

He has been out of position for a big goal in each loss.... He should of had the Morris shot if he was centered on the net.... You don't challenge a shooter to your WEAK stick side.... let alone 2 times in a series.... Today he did the same One on One again.... those are saves a goalie HAS TO MAKE!! Bad game or not.... Howard is not a playoff goalie.. He has not finished a series his whole career. With GR he was starter and pulled cause he can't take the pressure..... 3 straight playoff years...he started and was yanked.


Enjoy the future.... we won't have a good goaltender for a few years.... Live with it.

Ah crap the pressure is rising

Im guessing the coaching staff will be watching Howard see how he reacts see how his confidence looks before they make a call on who is in net next game.

Personally I havnt seen anything spectacular from Howard and Im ready to see a change if not for the start of the next game then Ozzy should be ready to go should Howard let in a bad goal and I hope it wont take much for Babcock to hand it over.

LEAVE HOWARD IN...... It's his bed let him s*** in it! Let him know what it feels like to skate off the ice the loser of a series just like Osgood has had to do.... f*** That... Leave Howard in Win or Lose....

He has to grow as a starter I keep reading... Let him grow up... Let him lose so he learns how to win.... He's a man right... Let him prove it!

This is why people calling for Ozzy to start more than 1 game in the last few months weren't just blind Ozzy homers. It'd be nice to have the OPTION to go to him, but we really don't have that.

Howard should start game 4 anyway. If he sucks and we lose, I'd go to Ozzy for game 5. Not that it would really matter after that.

NO F'n Way.... Let Howard lose a series while he is on the ice.. dont give Osgood a start in a hostile game 5 .. thats a **** MOVE.... Howard is making his bed let him lay in it. No one came to Osgood's side when we stuck with him in the past series's that he lost in.... Let Howrad feel the real pressure of big league playoffs... If you want him to grow...Let him cry a little.

Last home game of the regular season..... I have to do this for the final time this season.





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I too got chills from that clip.. And I personally think it's because of the commentator Gary Thorne. I used to love his goal calls...

Well we won the cup in 08' so to say that it's better than that.....Only if we win the cup.... and maybe he was talking about down this stretch? I can't agree with him on this. I can say I was a Howard skeptic at the beginning of the season, I'm impressed with him and how Howard and the rest of the guys have learned to play together. But BEST since he's been here.....Insane. Id think he's taking a shot at Osgood in some small way.

Did that SERIOUSLY just happen???? Holy Crap! 5 of 6 points on the road...GREAT JOB BOYS