Ozzie (2008) or Vernon (1997)?

Question

Is Osgood playing better then Conn Smythe winner Mike Vernon in 97 when he swept a team not to be mentioned.It doesn't seem to me that Chris has to play over his head like Mikey but I was wondering what you animals thought?

I asked this before the semis also and now seeing if people changed their minds.

Answer 1

Hard to compare - this is a better team in front of him (Ozzie), but at the same time, look at the GAA, the SV% and his record, and you have to give him some real kudos!

As far as Conn Smythe --- how do you even pick one guy off of this team?  Lidstrom?  Yeah, but while he's been great, so has Kronwall, so has Zatterberg, so has Datsyuk, so has Draper (face-offs alone), and so has Osgood.

I was thinking that if Ozzie gets another shutout and they sweep (admittedly a tall order and unlikely) he should get consideration if only to acknowledged the performance.

But this is a team without a Conn Smythe candidate, as far as I am concerned.

Answer 2

Actually Ozzie is.. If you forgot he did play start as the Wings won the Cup the Following Year. Vernny Is A Great Goalie but Ozzie is the here and now so yes he does play better.

Answer 3

Ozzie 2008. He is the only goalie to have 2 shutouts in the first 2 games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

Answer 4

I was too young in 97 to actually be able to critique Vernon so I really have no clue.

Spud:  They said during the game last night that Ozzy is the fourth goalie to get 2 shutouts the first 2 games of the finals.

Answer 5

osgood is that d**n awesome...  i live in NY and i am a major red wings fan

Answer 6

41 for 41 SOGs......The Pens are an embarrasment at this point.

Answer 7

I would say Ozzie 2008.  That unmentionable team was not that good.  Seriously Osgood is playing well, he reminds me of Vernon when he has the helmet off.

I think he is the perfect goalie for the Det system.  Some of the dominant goalies do not thrive on 20 shots a game.  he seems to be able to go long periods without a shot yet stay focused.  Hasak was at his best in Buffalo facing 40 shots a night.  he never excelled in the low shot total games.  Obviously he is not the same goalie today but it just seems that Osgood is the perfect fit for this team.  

As to the question, he is playing better than Vernon, the team may be playing better team defense too.

Answer 8

Ozzie hasn't had to work as hard as Vernon did in '97. It's difficult to say, Ozzie has been spectacular when he needed to be, it just hasn't had to be too often. But I think he should still get the nod.

Answer 9

Well, even though Ozzie hasn't faced many shots at all this series, let alone the entire playoffs, the shots he HAS faced this series haven't all been easy.  He's made some terrific saves, and gives Detroit the confidence they need to take some risks other teams can't.  I'll go with Ozzie this year.

Answer 10

Not taking anything away from Ozzie who is a great Goalie in his own right, but he has not yet made the same impact as Vernon in 97......Ask me again when he is holding that cup over his head. Chances are my answer will go the other way on that day.

Answer 11

This animal is pretty happy with her Boys!  I haven't changed my mind about what I thought about Vernon (cos I didn't know about hockey then!), but also haven't changed my mind about Ozzie.  

You can't argue with two - sorry, can't say that word - but it's hard to disentangle how good he is being with how well the D have supported him. When he is on song, his whole game looks so easy, he doesn't usually 'stand on his head' like other goalies with the shiny reputations.

Sad as it is to see a great like Hasek sitting out, I reckon that Osgood is the right goaltender for these playoffs - the whole team plays a different style in front of him, supporting him well, and because of his style, he has looked 'solid'.  Bit of an understatement.

Go Wings.

Answer 12

Ozzie has this one

2 shutouts against the "Great" Pens.  the unmentionables at least scored some goals and put up somewhat of a fight

Answer 13

no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!