Archive for the 'Chris Osgood' Category

Pre-Finals Press Conferences: Osgood and Zetterberg

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Matt Saler
on May 29, 2009
in 2008-2009, Chris Osgood, Henrik Zetterberg, Penguins and Playoffs
. 0 Comments

Via NHL Media:

Q.  Just thinking back to last year, Marian Hossa, having to play against him in the Final and what it’s been like having him on your team this year?

HENRIK ZETTERBERG:  I think he’s, you know, contributed a lot.  Just his skating ability, his size and the force he’s been for us this year, he’s been unbelievable.

Q.  Talk a little bit about in the middle of the year when you took a little bit of a break, and cleared your mind and that sort of thing?  Take us through where that has brought you now and to be here in the Cup Final has got to be obviously outstanding for you?

CHRIS OSGOOD:  I mean, by no means did I enjoy the first half of the season.  It was a struggle.  I wasn’t mentally prepared to start the year.  I know that sounds bad but that’s the truth.  I mean, coming off last season I didn’t do the right things.  To be ready.  And I know I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen between.  I can guarantee you I’ll not have a regular season like that again.

But I’ve known Ken since I’ve been 14 years old.  I don’t want to say he’s a second father to me, but pretty close.  And he’s called me in and just told me to be me.  I had to get back to being I myself and what I need to do to get back.  Just kind of a wake-up call, kind of.

He told me you’re going to work with Jim Bedard for three days, it was on the weekend, you’ll be practicing with the team again, but you’re not going to play for 10 days.  Which, at the time now that I think back, probably should have happened in November earlier.  But given the fact that we had won, I think it gave me more time to try to work my way through it.

But it was good.  I got a good break.  Got to work on some things with Jimmy and cleared my mind.  It was kind of like that was my new starting point to get ready for the playoffs was that January break.  It was really good.  I just cleared my mind, and I just 100% on, got myself ready for the playoffs.  Worked hard in practice on and off the ice.

So I knew when the playoffs started, I knew I was ready.  I didn’t have any doubt in my mind I had done the right things in practice and done the right things off the ice.  My mind was in the right spot that I knew I was going in the right — in a good spot.
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Osgood Visibly Hurting in Game 4

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 23, 2009
in Blue Jackets, Chris Osgood, Injuries and Playoffs
. 5 Comments

Update (10:20 PM): Osgood ended up finishing the game and seemed fine in the third period. It looks like the Wings may have dodged a bullet there. After the game, Babcock told John Keating that nothing was wrong with Oz, but I do think it’s something to keep an eye on. - Matt

After 40 update: It’s 5-5 in a bit of a wild one, but the most worrisome thing is the fact that Chris Osgood is obviously hurting. He hasn’t been the same tonight since the start, but he started looking worse in the second period as he began to favor his left leg.

He went down awkwardly at one point in Game 3, so it’s possible his issues tonight stem from that. With Columbus crashing the net frequently tonight, however, he could have tweaked something in this one as well. Here’s hoping Babcock takes him out for the third period so he can start resting up for the second round. It’s more important that Osgood gets healthy than for him to finish this game.

The defense, by the way, has got to be better. Offensively, the team has been solid, but they dont seem to be taking this one quite as seriously.

It’s Officially Official: Osgood’s the Playoff Starter

Published
by
Matt Saler
on April 3, 2009
in Chris Osgood, Playoffs, The Team and Tomas Kopecky
. 1 Comment

Update (2:55 PM): Dave Dye has the rest of Babcock’s quote, which pretty puts it back to where things were before: Osgood’s the starter unless something changes. - Matt

Update (2:39 PM): Okay, so the situation may be a bit less certain than Khan let on. Helene St. James’ quote from Babcock (Khan paraphrased) has words like “pretty sure” going with her own “expects.” So the ambiguity remains. Sort of. - Matt

Update (2:28 PM): My wife reminds me via email that she said last night “Osgood owes Conklin a drink.” I’d say so!

She also points out the aspect of the players-only meeting I neglected to mention: the implication that it was Lidstrom who called it. If they end up turning this thing around, remember this moment when people start questioning Lidstrom’s leadership. Steve Yzerman he is not (no one is), but he wears the “C” for a reason.  - Matt

After last night, this is about as surprising as a Samuelsson missed hold-in attempt, but Chris Osgood was named the starter for the playoffs by Babcock today.

Here’s hoping the official end of what little ambiguity on this issue there was will be enough for Oz go overcome the mental issues he’s had this season and trigger another stellar run.

Also, the players had a team meeting before practice today and were put through sprints by Babock at the end of the skate. We’re probably not talking Miracle sprints, but I think it’s pretty safe to say that things’ll be different Sunday.

And Kopecky hurt his shoulder during the game, though he doesn’t think it’s serious. He may skate tomorrow.

Osgood in against Nashville

Published
by
Matt Saler
on March 28, 2009
in Chris Osgood and Links
. 7 Comments

Chris Osgood will start tomorrow afternoon. The right move, in my opinion.

Osgood back in on Friday

Published
by
Matt Saler
on March 25, 2009
in Chris Osgood and Links
. 11 Comments

Helene St. James reports that Chris Osgood will start Friday. Good. I think he probably should have started last night in order to get right back in the saddle, but I understand going with Conklin for that one. But Osgood has to get back in it on Friday. They can’t screw around with sitting him at this point.

Hossa Out Against Calgary, Possible for Saturday

Published
by
Matt Saler
on March 11, 2009
in Chris Osgood, Injuries, Links, Marian Hossa and Ty Conklin
. 1 Comment

Helene St. James reports that due to the fact that he’s still got a sore neck, Marian Hossa will sit out at least one more game. He may be ready to go in St. Louis on Saturday, though.

Also, Ty Conklin starts again tomorrow, while Osgood will go against the Blues.

Osgood Update

Published
by
Matt Saler
on February 23, 2009
in Chris Osgood
. 0 Comments

Didn’t see this yesterday: Ansar Khan reports that Chris Osgood “is expected” back on the bench for Wendesday’s game against San Jose, which Ty Conklin will start. Osgood will likely play Friday against LA.

So it looks like “won’t be dressing for 10 days” meant “won’t be dressing for 10 days from the time of his last start” rather than “won’t be dressing for 10 days starting Friday,” as George Sipple reported last week.

If Khan is right (his source is Holland), that means two things: 1) no Daniel Larsson.

And 2) the whole controversy over the 10-day hiatus was overblown. Ten days between his Colorado game and his next appearance in uniform is much more conventional than ten days from Friday. It was more of a natural break in the schedule with Howard thrown in than an extreme measure.

This is why precision in reporting is important.