Both the Chief and Malik have commented multiple times on the Jimmy Howard call-up and Chris Osgood's removal from the Red Wings' lineup so I'll throw my two cents in, too.
I've said before that I'm an Osgood fan. I've liked the guy since 1994, when he was crying in the locker room after the Game Seven loss to San Jose, the first time it actually looked like a Red Wings gave a damn about all of those early playoff exits from the early 1990s.
Osgood's stop on Peter Zezel en route to a double-OT shutout in Game Seven of the 1996 Western Conference Semifinals is still one of my favorite saves of all time.
Look at his eyes after that stop, he's unfazed. Osgood's mental toughness has always been his strong point.
And that's the problem this season. That toughness isn't there, it's been replaced with frustration at himself and with his team. So as much as I like Osgood I won't deny that he's very off his game.
If the playoffs started today, who would I start? I want to give Osgood the benefit of the doubt with the expectation that he's out as soon as he falters, much like Hasek last season. That said, if he doesn't snap out of it, I can't say I'd blame Mike Babcock for going with Ty Conklin for Game One.
The one thing I have trouble with is the idea that the Wings are playing poorly in front of Osgood and better in front of Conklin this season. The Wings sit second in the Western Conference and have won a ton of games again this year, the idea that they're playing poorly - no matter who the goalie is - seems ridiculous. It's true, of course, but more than playing poorly the Wings are playing differently.
For years, Detroit has been a puck-possession team. Hold the puck, move the puck, keep the puck. If you have it, the other team doesn't. And part of that kind of play is that the goalie is expected to keep play alive.
Osgood thrived in that system last year, controlling rebounds and putting them to places where his defenders could get to them. This year the Wings don't get to the loose pucks as well and those formerly-controlled rebounds become rebound chances for the opposition. Conklin freezes the puck more than Osgood, saving himself from those rebound chances and relying on the Wings' superb faceoff skills to get the puck back.
So do you blame Osgood for failing to adapt to his defense's new laziness or do you blame the defense for not getting to the puck? As a goalie of a different kind, I understand Osgood's frustration, preparing for a season expecting one kind of play from his defense only for them to play another style entirely.
All of that said, Osgood does need to get focused and this time off should serve him well. While he's refocusing, though, the rest of his team needs to tidy up their game as well.
I hate it when people always ask the same question, but is there somewhere I can watch the game online besides NHL.com? Or is that my best bet, cause I heard it sucked.
If you can even watch it on NHL.com? XD
@&*%^@&*&*$* Nope, I'd have to pay, screw that.
ATDHE usually has a feed but I don't think we'll know for sure until tomorrow.
ATDHE feed for tonight's game: http://atdhe.net/live-tv-2.php?i=884
Backstrom gets the start for the Wild. Andrew Brunette is questionable for tonight but took the morning skate.
I'll be damned, Draper is the healthy scratch tonight. I thought for sure it'd be Kopy.
I'll be damned, Draper is the healthy scratch tonight. I thought for sure it'd be Kopy.
There was a healthy scratch? I missed the pregame show.
Wild scores first. Bad sign.
Another quick goal. Damn Osgood.
Oops.
I think Howie will want that one back. He got a piece of it but not enough.
Kopecky should be scratched, he's done nothing this year.
Kopecky should be scratched, he's done nothing this year.
I strongly disagree! I think he's done a lot and in fact I like him quite well. It probably just doesn't seem like much because I know he had to deal with a lot of injuries in previous years?
Maltby, on the other hand... 
Kopecky should be scratched, he's done nothing this year.
I'd say the whole fourth line has done nothing. Kopy was the only one using his body at the start of the season so I give him credit for that.
There's another.
That's the same sh*t they do in front of Osgood all the time.
I get the feeling this'll be a quiet night around here with how the Wings are doing. Ugh.
I can tell more 'fascinating' stories
Sorry for bailing out last night, but it was my cousin from Hawaii's last night here, so I was paying attention to him.
How dare you pay attention to family over hockey. And posting about hockey on the Internet. Where are your priorities?!
PSSSSH, OH NO YOU DI'INT.
Ok, I'm at a loss for words. My inner ghetto self took over to step into the spotlight. I have nothing sarcastic to say to your sarcastic remarks
That's why Kopy is in the lineup!
WOOOOOOO. Goal.
It's all about Kopecky tonight. Poor pasha13! :c
Not so much poor me, I'll take goals from anyone whether I think they should be in the lineup or not.
You know, that was a really nice move by Leino to get it out to the front of the net. Kopy kind of lucked out (though at least he went to the net, that's more than a lot of Wings have been doing).
Not so much poor me, I'll take goals from anyone whether I think they should be in the lineup or not.
That is a great thing that all sports fans should learn to do
Helm goddamned near had one there. He's gonna get one tonight the way he's playing. Wings finally have some jump.
Helm's definitely got some energy. He'll be in the lineup for the playoffs again
Arrghhh! Hudler had no room and still almost put it in.
*()$*#&%)#$&%&#$
Another Minnesota goal.
We need Hasek to flip someone!
Well that sucked. Raffy should have had him and Howard looked like he barely moved on the shot.
I'm feeling unlucky right now. :@
Wild again.
Saw that coming. Can't blame Howard there, Wings are playing D like they do in front of Osgood.
Helm is a beast tonight
I hope he scores.
I might need to turn this off, I'm dog-sitting and she's looking at me funny, wondering why I'm growling at the TV. All that jump early in the period and the Wings blow it late.
Nice little interview with Stevie Y during intermission. Highlight of the game at this point.
Signature crisis solved.
Let's get a goal!
Crisis, huh?
Unfortunately, the game crisis is not resolved.
Crisis, huh?
Worse then the Great Fire of London.
I hate to be pessimistic, but the game is most likely lost. But the Wings will hopefully get another goal
But the Wings will hopefully get another goal
I SOMEWHAT CALLED IT 
The Wings can score three in five minutes, I just don't expect them to.
Oooh, there's one. Two in five minutes then.
The Wings can score three in five minutes, I just don't expect them to.
Edited it for you? :c Mr. Logic.
Two more to go!
The way I see it, they need another before the two-minute mark. Then they can pull Howard and go for the tie. Down by two with 2:00 left isn't enough time. Yeah, it might work out, but it's pushing it.
"And Samuelsson missed!"
There's a surprise.
Ooh, I thought they were going to bat it in there.
Exciting last minute, with no success.
@#*$(&*)(#%
As I typed, empty netter.
All that and the Wild get the ENG. I swear they just stacked five guys in the crease at the end there.
Well, hey, good thing Howard played and not that bum Osgood. Or something.
Well, hey, good thing Howard played and not that bum Osgood. Or something.
AS:LDJAKJS:KLSAKLSAJ YOU JUST SAID OR SOMETHING? D: That is awesome. I say that all the time on purpose :c
Hmmm. I don't know. I think all the 'Nogood' haters should remain quiet the rest of the night. No, he's definitely not my favourite goaltender, but he has done a lot But then again...that was probably more sarcasm, wasn't it? x]
Like I said, I like Osgood. He needs to get better though. I just don't feel the need to rail into him and declare Howard the answer.
Chris Osgood
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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