The usually polite Sammy’s telling Sweden to go Eff themselves, and the typically Zen Osgood is getting frustrated and calling out Babcock’s goalie “rotation.”  What is this world coming to?

Howard’s been hot recently, winning games, and playing extremely well even in losses (see: Monday’s 0-1 vs Columbus).  Osgood hasn’t played since they were shutout 0-3 in the first part of the home and home vs Chicago on 12/20.  And he ain’t happy:

McCosky:

“I know how to do that [make good on his next opportunity],” he said. “I don’t think I have to prove that. I know how to play, I just have to play — that’s all there is to it. It’s not a matter of earning an opportunity. You have to get into some games and get into a groove and then I can play like I can. It’s not that I don’t know how to do it.

“But if you don’t play, it’s impossible to get to that point. I’m a goalie, OK, and I’ve been playing for 20-some years since Juniors. What I say (about goaltending) is closer to the facts than what he (Babcock) would say.”

Osgood pointed to the board in the dressing room that shows the Wings in 10th place, three points out of a playoff spot.

“It’s got to be sooner than later,” he said. “Listen, you’ve got to be a good team guy. For us, it’s all about winning and getting into the playoffs. That’s the main thing for me, no matter what.”

He goes on to say that while he’s happy that Howard’s playing well, he thinks he should be getting more starts in order to get ready for the playoffs, where it’s more or less a foregone conclusion that Osgood will be the starter if we’re in.  Osgood seems to think that he’s played ok in the starts that he’s gotten.

I’m not going to argue that point.  I’ve questioned in the past about him not getting enough starts to have a fair chance to get into a groove.  Yes, Jimmy has outplayed Osgood this season, and when it’s a battle to get into the top 8 right now, you need every win you can get.  So of course Babcock’s going to ride the hot hand.  Hey, maybe he’s got a timeline in mind already for when he wants to get Osgood into more games.  Maybe he’s waiting to see if Howard hits the wall, and subs in Oz at that point.

But at the same time, Osgood has only played 18 games so far this season, well under half.  He also sits at 396 wins (on that note, let the guy get his 4 more to reach 400).  He needs to play in order to get ready for the playoffs.  It’s irresponsible to assume that Osgood is going to just throw the switch come the post-season without building up to it–just because he did it last year doesn’t mean he’ll do it again.

There’s a little over half the season remaining, so will Osgood see more starts then?  Maybe after the Olympic break?  Or is it possible that Babcock is quietly pushing Osgood into a backup role, without having the wherewithall to actually say it?

Babcock’s explanation:

“It’s amazing how it works,” Babcock said last week. “If Ozzie had a good night the other night in Chicago (3-0 loss), then he would have started (the next game) and we wouldn’t be talking about this. Just play the guy who’s playing the best — it’s that simple.”

Absolute lies.  Babcock’s a sports psychologist–he’s got a reason for what he’s doing, and it’s not as basic as starting whoever has been playing better.  You give the guy one start, with a depleted roster up front, against Chicago, and he played ok.  So you change goaltenders for the next game and the team plays better as a whole, though to the same score.  And that guy gets a run of starts.

I dunno–doesn’t sound simple to me.

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