With Chris Osgood Struggling, Red Wings Could Be "Conklin" It Up in the Playoffs

Like the backup quarterback in each perennial version of the Detroit Lions, the backup goalie on the Detroit Red Wings, Ty Conklin, has become quite popular lately.

As bewildering as it might seem, even a two-time, Stanley-Cup-winning goalie is replaceable—Osgood was the starting goalie in the playoffs for Detroit in 1998 and 2008.

There likely exists no greater disparity in professional sports over a single player, than the differences in the opinions of Chris Osgood. He is revered by some and hated by others, with no real in-between.

However, Osgood's playoff statistics from 2008 stand tall with some of the best goalie performances in recent NHL history. Osgood compiled a 14-4 record with a 1.55 GAA in relief of a stumbling Dominik Hasek.

With such recent, stellar numbers, it is mysterious why Osgood has struggled to the extent that he has this season.

To date, Osgood has a 17-4-6 record, but follows that with a GAA of 3.29, third worst among goalies with at least 25 starts. His save percentage is an NHL-worst .880.

Now, even the most vocal Osgood supporters have to acknowledge something is wrong. Mike Babcock recently called out Osgood publicly after a recent win over Phoenix, in which Osgood allowed five goals, two of them late in the game.

General Manager Ken Holland also recently hinted at his displeasure over the goaltending and penalty kill situation on the team.

Last year, it was Osgood who outplayed one of the greatest goaltenders the game has ever known in Dominik Hasek, and wrestled the starting position away from him.

This year, Ty Conklin is playing that role admirably. Conklin came in during the offseason at a modest salary of under $1 million. He handily won the backup job and has been playing at a high level ever since.

To date, Conklin is sitting with a GAA of 2.32, fourth in the NHL among goalies with at least 25 starts. He is also second in the NHL in shutouts, with six.

He's even been recently referred to by the media and fans as Detroit's "Conk-Block" in net.

That has to rank among the best goalie nicknames I've ever heard.

With Osgood allowing a full goal per game more than Conklin, the math seems simple enough, but it's never that easy. It takes more than that to bench the man who backstopped this team to the Stanley Cup last season.

There are however an ever dwindling amount of games left in the season; therefore, the chances for Osgood to prove he can be the man in goal for this team are continually decreasing.

If Conklin keeps up his outstanding play in goal, and Osgood continues struggling, Babcock will have little recourse.

If the playoffs started tomorrow, it would almost assuredly be Conklin in goal, and unless Osgood can turn his season around in a hurry, it might still be Conklin in goal come April.

Forget trade deadline acquisitions. This team is maxed cap-wise and can't afford to bring in any goaltending help. The Wings will live or die by either Ty Conklin or Chris Osgood....or both.

Rotating goalies in the playoffs? Well, that's unconventional, but it's also a possibility.

Perhaps Osgood, like the struggling Hasek last year, will be given an opportunity to start in the playoffs despite of his bad numbers, but will be put on a short leash, with Conklin nipping at his heels.

In any case, the goaltending situation in Detroit has become hot intrigue. From here on out it's a battle, but come playoff time, don't be surprised if the Wings are "Conkin" it up in goal.