I feel kinda dirty writing that because for years I’ve been picking on Ozzie and his puck bunnies. I don’t know. I’m all conflicted. I just don’t know. You publicly name Osgood your number 1 and Mt. Hasek will blow sky high. But should that be a concern? Given the choice most of us would probably choose Hasek as a playoff starter because, like eating that bastard Cranberry sauce, it’s expected of us. But is there any reason to expect Osgood to stop playing as well as he has since the middle of last year?

And, try this: what have we seen over the last year that proves Dominik Hasek is actually a better goalie than Chris Osgood? If Hasek is the unquestioned starter, it’s due to reputation and the possibility of success rather than anything he’s proven since he signed last summer. Osgood? If he wasn’t hurt going into the Punch In The Face, I think we win that Edmonton series. I think Legace’s pulled after Game 3 and in rides Ozzie on his big old steed (Tenacious D reference).

It’s not a trend and it’s not a streak. This is the Chris Osgood we can expect to see the rest of the year. Tonite? Who knows what we’ll get from Hasek. In front of a crowd of relatives full on possum and Schaefers, we could either see 4 goals on ten shots or a motivated picture of insanity who shuts Bubba out after facing 40. This won’t be a twelve shot affair, not after playing last night, a plane ride, little rest, and an afternoon watching the Lions lose.

Last night may have been Osgood’s best game. Little activity…breakaway…save. Osgood likes breakaways. Dom…not so much. And you do recall that breakaway last night was shorthanded. Osgood likes shorthanded chances. Dom…not so much. Little activity…a flurry…nada. Osgood’s concentration seems to be at a level so high right now that nothing is going to shake it.
Khan(!)

“I played on this team long enough where I’ve had nights where I don’t get very many shots,’’ Osgood said. “I don’t care how many shots I face as long as we win the game. I just stay focused on the puck, I track it everywhere on the ice, follow it in the neutral zone, obviously in our end, even when it’s in the other end. I don’t find myself getting bored. You have to stay focused because the game can change on one shot.’‘

1.3 million. Like that number? Fun to say? That’s how much cap space the Wings clear if Jimmy Howard’s backing up Chris Osgood. I’m just sayin’.

Mentioned this last night in the prolific 98 comment live blog. The Dallas Drake experiment is not panning out. He allegedly played last night but name me a shift of his you can remember. I vaguely recall a shot in the third. He played 7:43. 11 shifts. The lowest, by far, of any Wing (except the injured Kopecky). And he’s not making the most of the limited time he has on the ice. Unlike Downey…whose presence is felt practically every second he’s out there. I think the end is in sight for Drake, and I think he knows it.
Kulfan

“I didn’t expect (to play all 82 games). They have some real good, young players here. You want to get them in there and see what they’ve got and that’s what he’s (Babcock) doing. He’s the coach and he makes all the decisions. I play when he calls my number to go out there and I go out and give him all I’ve got.”

Matt Ellis gives it all he’s got and generates points. Aaron Downey gives it all he’s got and draws a 5-3. Drake’s a character guy and probably a good teammate. But, it’s not working out.

Oh good. The Toronto media’s at it again. Check this out.
David Shoalts

If the franchise is as important as Tanenbaum and Peddie like to say it is, they need to do a complete search, beginning now. They have to examine every possible candidate, from Brian Burke to Lou Lamoriello to Ken Holland to Jim Rutherford.

For example, there is a lot of talk these days that the Detroit Red Wings might be willing to let Holland go because they want to see Steve Yzerman take over as GM. Rutherford, the architect of the Hurricanes, is a Toronto boy, so maybe he’d like to rescue the hometown team.

A lot of talk, eh? Funny. Any of you heard that talk?

I didn’t think so.