Chris Osgood's Stock is Falling

In just a few short months many hockey experts have gone from touting Detroit Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood as a serious candidate for the 2010 Olympic team to wondering if perhaps his time as a dependable starting goalie is over. This three time Stanley Cup winner who is affectionately known as ‘Ozzie’ was a big factor in why his Wings made it last spring to the Stanley Cup finals. During the Wings run which saw them fall a game short Osgood posted a sparkling .926 save percentage and 2.01 GAA as many in the media were not only mentioning him in the same breath as the Olympics but also bringing up the issue of whether he is having a hall of fame career. Fast forward a few months later and questions are being asked about what’s wrong with Osgood and if perhaps time has caught up to the 37 year-old. Following a 4-3 shootout loss against the New Jersey Devils Osgood who has 395 career wins saw his season numbers fall to 6-5-5 with a less than impressive .896 save percentage. “For me, personally, I’ve got to get to the level I’ve been in the playoffs for this team right now,” Osgood said. “I’ve got to get to that level now, and continue it through the rest of the regular season. I mean, we’re going to get to a point here where there’s 30 games left and it’s going to be a dogfight. I’ve got to start stealing games and playing like I did in the playoffs.” Osgood who in 2008 posted a 1.55 GAA and .930 save percentage during the Wings Stanley Cup win is capable of turning his season around and stop the loud whispers of his critics. For now he has been splitting time with second stringer Jimmy Howard who has been a pleasant surprise in posting an impressive 8-5-1 record, 2.55 goals against average and .910 save percentage. “I just have to keep myself ready,” Osgood who has averaged 45.3 games a season said. “You obviously would like to play to get into a rhythm, but at the same time you have to stay ready regardless.” As of early December the Wings are in the unfamiliar position of sitting outside of a playoff spot in what is a competitive Western Conference. To salvage what has been to date a very disappointing season they will need the man known as “Ozzie” to once again step up and be a factor.