Red Wings' Chris Osgood misses his shot at glory

Jun 13, 2009 - 4:48 AM By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer

DETROIT(AP) -- Chris Osgood seemed destined to silence the critics who haven't given him credit for winning two Stanley Cups as a No. 1 goalie because he plays for the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings.

But Friday night in Game 7 in the Stanley Cup finals, the Detroit goalie gave up two goals to Pittsburgh's Max Talbot in the second period and the Penguins held on for a 2-1 victory.

If the Red Wings had beaten Pittsburgh in Game 6 or 7 to repeat as champions, Osgood had a great shot to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as MVP of the playoffs.

But Detroit didn't and Osgood will shoulder some of the blame - fair or not - because such is life when you're in net for the storied franchise.

He finished with 16 saves, but stopped only one shot in the third period when the Penguins played conservatively.

Talbot's goals against Osgood, both of which probably would've been stopped by the goalie on a good night, both came after defenseman Brad Stuart failed to do his job.

Stuart turned the puck over early in the second period, allowing Evgeni Malkin to set up Talbot for a shot that went low and between Osgood's legs.

Stuart didn't keep the puck in the Pittsburgh end midway through the second period and Talbot ended up with it, and snapped off a shot from the left circle that easily got past Osgood's glove.

Pittsburgh took a 2-0 lead on its 16th shot and had that cushion until rookie Jonathan Ericsson's long blast with 6:07 in the third period pulled Detroit within a goal.

It was too little, too late for Osgood to get his glory.