Chris Osgood knew what was at stake.
This was the beginning of his last chance. His final chance to pull himself together and prove that he is capable of remaining the starter.
Throughout the season, Osgood has struggled. He hasn't been himself. He looked really bad.
So he was given 10 days to get his head screwed on straight. The Wings didn't spell it out, but they were basically saying that this was Ozzie's final chance to turn himself around.
He started out the right way. On Friday night Osgood stopped 30 of 31 shots to allow just one goal. The only goal allowed came during a power play when Osgood was peppered with shots. He looked superb, like the Osgood of '08. Thus far in Project Restore Our Goalie's Power, he has a cool 1.00 GAA
The Red Wings desperately need this to continue. If Osgood returns to mediocre play, they're screwed. Why? Because then then their options go down to this: 1.Continue to attempt to improve Osgood, which likely won't succeed soon enough. 2. Try to trade for a goalie, which is out of the question since they have no cap room. 3. Start Ty Conklin, who has spent the majority of his career as a solid backup man, but has yet to succeed with a starting job.
None are appealing. What we want is the easiest route: for Osgood to improve immediately. Well, it started.
Let's hope it continues.
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