As the 2010 NHL season begins, Red Wings fans have a lot to be excited about: key players like Johan Franzen are healthy again, Michigan native Mike Modano was picked up by the team, and ticket prices are lower than ever (9$ for a Red Wing's game? You can't even get two of owner Mike Ilitch's pizza's for that cheap). What's most exciting, though, is the prospect of having goalie and 2010 Rookie-of-the-Year Finalist Jimmy Howard back between the pipes.
That's why it came as no surprise in game two of the regular season to look at that starting line up and see....Chris Osgood in net?
The rationale behind the line-up change is a traditional one: in back-to-back road games, give your starting goalie the second night off. And don't get me wrong, the Ageless Wonder Osgood is turning into has helped the Red Wings down the playoff stretch over the years. In fact, the last two seasons Ozzie gave up two goals a game or less during the playoffs.
There's another side to those statistics, though: Osgood was giving up over three goals a game during the last two regular seasons. Those regular season blues have continued for the 37-year-old goaltender this year, as Osgood has posted just a 1-2 record. In both loses (the only two loses of the season for the Wings), Osgood gave up three goals in a period and just looked...well, like you'd expect an old goaltender to look: slow.
Now, with an injury to Howard that's likely to leave him sidelined until next week, Red Wings fans are hoping for a cameo from Playoff Osgood. Maybe the upcoming game against the central division leading Nashville Predators will get the competitive juices flowing.
I feel like the Wings somehow get older guys to play out of their minds when they need them too (Lidstrom, Chelios, Ozzie) but it is starting to get a little ridiculous...That regular season-post season trend just won't leave!
ReplyDeleteIt was good to see the organization come to their senses this year by letting go of Maltby, and Draper will probably not play when he comes back from injury. This transition is needed as these players don't contribute like they used to. Us in Hockeytown appreciate what these players have given us but it was their time to go. Just as the Packers got rid of Favre in favor of a younger Aaron Rodgers, it is now time for the Wings to do the same and bring in a backup goalie that is more efficient than Osgood. Sad as it is to say, he is washed up and his time has come.
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