And That, Chris Osgood, Is Why the Red Wings Have You Riding Pine

Dear Chris,

So, you know, we've been through a lot together.

I remember when you first took over as the Wings' goalie. There were questions about whether you'd be good enough to ever be the starter long-term, if you'd be able to become a No. 1 goalie in the NHL.

We had some rough patches along those first few seasons (I won't even bring up Jamie Baker's goal, oh, I guess I just did), but I, and a lot of other Wings fans, stuck with you, and you delivered.

It took you just five years to win your first Cup as a starter.

But just three years later, you were gone from the Detroit net.

I had mixed feelings about that. It's tough to say goodbye to a player you saw grow up in net, but we had Dominik Hasek coming in, so, you know I wasn't that upset.

So, fast forward to the 2008 playoffs, and you're backing up the very same Dominik Hasek that saw you booted from the team seven years prior (isn't life a trip?).

He lays one too many eggs in net against Nashville, and in Game Four you take over the net, and eventually lead us to Cup glory once again.

I know you know all of this, but I'm laying this out there so you understand. I really, really appreciate what you've done for this team, and truly want to see you do more.

Apparently, according to you, you still can.

I keep hearing you talk about how "good" you feel. In fact, you've even started vocalizing your frustration about how you're not getting the starts you should, and how you want more playing time.

You say you feel you can still be a difference maker, and that you once again feel good about your ability to play at a high level.

Well, Chris, feeling good and being good are totally different things.

A mud bath feels really good, but it looks like a big damn mess.

So do you.

Tuesday night, you guys are playing the Islanders after coming back from a very successful West Coast trip that saw your team play probably its best game of the season against the San Jose Sharks.

Now, the Islanders have some skill, and Dwayne Roloson is a decent goalie, but seriously, is this a team you guys thought you'd lose to with the roll you've been on?

Jimmy starts in net again, but the guys in front of him play like they're hammered, and he let in three goals before the midway point of the game.

Now, Babs pulled him, not because he was terrible, but because the team in front of him was, and he needed to do something to try and right the ship.

That's where you come in, buddy, literally and figuratively, to the picture.

With all of your experience, your Cup wins, and, most recently, your assertion that you can make a difference in goal, this was your time to shine!

Step in, stop the bleeding, and maybe give your team a chance to win.

This was a golden opportunity to put your money where your mouth has been and maybe start a little net controversy in Motown.

You didn't even have to win the game, just keep the goals-against at three. Sure, you would've taken the loss, but you'd have pitched a shutout technically speaking, and probably earned the start at home against Carolina on Thursday.

Chris, you let in three more goals man, on 11 shots.

One through the wickets, another over your shoulder, swiping at it like you're shooing away a fly as you are waking up from a nap...seriously, I want to break something when I see you let those in.

You guys lose the game 6-0...6-0!

Do you know that you guys have now been shutout as many times this season as you have since the NHL lockout? Honestly, did you know that?

I know you've got nothing to do with the offense, but you could have at least restored some confidence and given your team hope that if they only got one more you weren't going to let one past you.

But you didn't man, you didn't.

Now, had you not promised all of us that last year's Ozzie was gone forever and this year's Ozzie would be more like playoff Ozzie, I wouldn't be harping on you.

But on top of not delivering on that promise, you're now spouting off to the press about how you feel you should be playing more because you're the one with the experience, and you're the one that can give your team a chance to win.

You had a chance to prove that was still possible, but you didn't. You didn't even come close.

I'm writing this to you because you've seemed genuinely confused as to why you're not starting game after game.

Well, you were there on Long Island on Tuesday, Chris. You know what happened.

You had a chance to come in and play the way you say you "feel" you're able to, and you didn't.

And that, Chris Osgood, is why the Red Wings have you riding pine.