Detroit Red Wings' Playoff Hopes Come Down to Wire: Osgood Still Needs To Play

Sixteen games left, on the outside looking into the playoffs. Needless to say, this is not the place the Detroit Red Wings wanted to be in, nor expected to be in. How do they get back into the playoffs? Simple. Win the games that they are supposed to win, while stealing a point or two in games that they are not favored to win.

Easier said than done. Here's an idea. As much as it may sound blasphemous to say, give Chris Osgood a start or two. Chris Osgood (in case you have forgotten) is fresh off back to back Stanley Cup appearances.

Now, to those of you who are going to say: "But he's too old, and he's not on top of his game anymore" think about this. Chris Osgood has played in 22 of 62 games this season. Is it really worth it to have a goaltender who is experienced as Osgood sitting on the bench while trying to make the playoffs with Jimmy Howard who played in the AHL last year?

The last rookie goalie to win the Cup was Cam Ward in 2006. Prior to that, no rookie goaltender had won the Cup since Patrick Roy did it in 1986.

Let's go with the facts. Osgood has 13 postseasons under his belt, along with three Stanley Cup rings.

"But he can't win a game!" Yeah I've heard that one too...Unfortunately for those people who say that, Osgood is 10th on the all time wins list amongst NHL goaltenders.

All though it is true that Osgood hasn't had a good game since December 20th at Chicago when the Wings got shut out 3-0, (Osgood stopped 32-35 shots) Osgood also deserves at least a game or two.

Jimmy Howard has played in 40 of the 62 games this year. Although that may not seem like a lot, keep in mind that he has played in every minute of every game except the last half of the Vancouver game.

Detroit's goaltending has been blamed for Detroit's losing in the past. That was largely due to the fact that Detroit had two goalies who were each playing as badly. This time, Detroit needs their starting goaltender to be healthy and mentally alert. Give Jimmy Howard a game off, and let Osgood try and get his groove back. Running Jimmy Howard into the ground is not what he needs as a rookie goaltender.

Although this seems like a bad idea, keep in mind that Detroit is 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. This record is by no means stellar, and is also by no means what it will take if Detroit is to make the playoffs this year.

Give Osgood a game and see what happens. He hasn't won three Stanley Cups for nothing.