Chris Osgood

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Osgood's career was marked by dramatic shifts in fortune, particularly during his rookie 1993–94 season. After Vincent Riendeau and Peter Ing shared time, Osgood took over as primary goaltender for the playoffs following a trade that brought Bob Essensa to Detroit. In the deciding Game 7 against the San Jose Sharks, Osgood attempted to clear a puck around the boards, but it landed on forward Jamie Baker's stick for the game-winning goal. The young goaltender wept at his stall afterward in a moment of remorse that defined his early career. Years later, he became the last NHL goalie to wear a traditional player's helmet and cage combo instead of a one-piece mask, a style briefly revived by Rick DiPietro in 2011 after an injury. On March 6, 1996, Osgood scored against the Hartford Whalers, becoming only the second goaltender in NHL history to score a goal, and one of just nine to do so by shooting directly into the net.

In Their Own Story

The 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs featured a pivotal turning point for Osgood. Although Dominik Hašek started as the primary goaltender for the Red Wings against the Nashville Predators, he performed poorly in Games 3 and 4 after winning the first two at home. Head Coach Mike Babcock pulled Hašek midway through Game 4 in favor of Osgood, who never left the net again. Osgood started Game 5, securing an overtime win for Detroit, and then won Game 6 in Nashville to eliminate the Predators. This performance capped a remarkable return to form; after assuming the starting role due to Hašek's injuries earlier that season, Osgood finished with a 27–9–4 record by April 30, 2008, ranking first in the NHL with a 2.09 GAA. His play earned him a three-year, $4.5 million contract extension and an appearance at the 2008 NHL All-Star Game.

Reader's Guide

Osgood's journey through the league offers a clear path of resilience and adaptation. After his initial success in Detroit, where he shared the William M. Jennings Trophy with Mike Vernon in 1996, he was traded to the New York Islanders in 2001 following the arrival of Dominik Hašek in Detroit. He split time with Garth Snow in 2001–2002 and later Rick DiPietro before being sent to the St. Louis Blues on March 11, 2003. Osgood remained the primary goaltender for St. Louis through the 2003–2004 season but did not advance past the quarterfinals. Following a year-long gap due to the NHL lockout and contract expiration, he returned to Detroit on August 8, 2005, with a one-year, $800,000 deal. Initially sidelined by a groin tear and assigned to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins for conditioning, he eventually shared time with Manny Legacé before re-signing to a two-year contract in July 2006.

Did You Know?

• Osgood is currently ranked 13th in wins in NHL regular season history with 401.
• He was the last NHL goalie to wear a traditional player's helmet/cage combo until Rick DiPietro briefly wore one of Osgood's masks in 2011.
• Osgood scored a goal on March 6, 1996, versus the Hartford Whalers by shooting the puck directly into the opponent's net.
• He is known in Detroit by the nicknames 'Ozzy' and 'The Wizard of Oz,' with 'Ozzy' chanted by crowds after big saves.
• Between the four Stanley Cups the Red Wings won from 1997 to 2008, Osgood only missed winning the 2002 championship.