As I said earlier, this is why you don't go planning around possible milestones.
Midway through the third period you've got fans chanting "Ozzie, Ozzie" after routine saves. Signs celebrating the not-to-be win number 400 are in the crowd like Chris Osgood's milestone had already been reached. Then the team started playing like they believed it was.
Not surprisingly, they lost.
The shift leading up to Brenden Morrow's tying goal with 3:14 left in regulation was colossally bad. The puck could have been cleared several times, with each failed attempt worse than the previous one until finally Brian Rafalski put it right on Jamie Benn's stick. Benn put it to Morrow all alone in front of the goal and the puck ended up in the net.
Blame Osgood if you want. I see some already are. The third and fourth goals could have been stopped. Typical weak Osgood goals, they might say.
I say they those chances never should have happened. If it comes down to Osgood having to make a superb stop, something has already broken down to get to that point. It's the goalie's job to make stops but if the entire team quits in front of him then I don't blame him.
This is the second of four meetings this season with the Stars winning 4-1 in what was Mike Modano's homecoming.
The Wings are 5-4-1 and in their last 10 while Dallas is 6-2-2.
Coach Babcock has reworked the schedule so Chris Osgood who is expected to be in goal will get an opportunity to notch his 400th win at home and that will make him the 10th goaltender in history to accomplish this mark.
The Wings were without a PP for the first time since 2004 in their last outing while the Stars penalty kill is on fire as they have killed 42 out their last 47.
The Wings are still without Mike Modano and as mentioned earlier Osgood is expected to be in net.
If Ozzie can pick up his 400th it could be a motivating factor for the Wings as they go for two points that could tie them for second.
And now... Over to Clark for an update on Wings line changes.
I'm just glad babcock will let osgood play once every 15 games.. sigh.
No lines posted yet and I'm visiting with family so I don't know when I'll be checking in.
I already mentioned I don't like the fact that the Wings talked Babcock into starting Osgood today instead of last night. Assuming Osgood will win is dangerous. Nothing against him, I just don't like planning for a win like that.
That's all I've got.
"Assuming Osgood will win is dangerous. "
Really? Assuming Howard will win every game is babcock's biggest problem I believe. Its easy to just put in one goalie for the whole year. He rarely, if ever pulls howard in blowouts. The obsession is getting sickening, he isn't even playing good at all. Give Osgood a chance for once..
Assuming the game will be a win is dangerous. No matter who the goalie is. That's the only reason Osgood is starting this one instead of having gotten the start on the road in Chicago; they're assuming he gets the win at home for #400.
I agree that Osgood needs more starts, I just don't like basing the lineup on possible milestones.
Ken Daniels says that Hudler is the scratch tonight. Can't say I disagree.
Raycroft gets the start for Dallas? I'm surprised.
Fluttering little shot, looked like nothing. Ahh, deflection, that's why. Important goal.
I don't think Dats knew it went in. Either way we'll take it!
That was close.
Was just talking to my father in law about Kris Draper being on his way out. Patrick Eaves is one of the reasons why. Tough play from the front of the net.
We got our bounce, they got theirs. Damn.
We got our power play goal, they got theirs? Don't think it was deflected but that was a hell of a shot.
Well sh*t... And they are back on the PP 
Few lame calls to end the period. Bad feeling about the start of the second.
Agreed.
Missed the second on the road. Ken Kal and Paul Woods thought Abs looked good in his fight.
Just saw the Franzen goal. Great screen by Homer.
I'll probably be on the road for the third as well.
Right now, Osgood is saying to the rest of the team, "Do you want me to get this f*cking win or not?"
No kidding??? Can we get some support here?
f*ck me!!!!
And that's why you don't get caught up thinking about milestones. Because you stop playing the f*cking game. Ozzie should kick everyone's ass tonight.
The team owes him dinner and then some...
Chris Osgood
Credit: Clark Rasmussen
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