Osgood starts for Red Wings

Apr 19, 2008 - 12:06 AM DETROIT (Ticker) -- Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock opted to make a goaltending change for Friday's pivotal playoff contest against the Nashville Predators.

All-Star Chris Osgood replaced Dominik Hasek in net for Game Five of the Red Wings' Western Conference quarterfinal series against the Predators at Joe Louis Arena.

The top-seeded Red Wings appeared to be in control after winning the first two games at home. But the pesky Predators evened the best-of-seven series with a pair of wins in Nashville.

This is the only one of the eight conference quarterfinal series in which the home team has won every game.

Osgood got the start after replacing Hasek in the second period of the Red Wings' 3-2 loss in Game Three. Babcock insisted the move to switch goaltenders was not made out of panic.

"The bottom line is, we've done this all year long," Babcock said. "Ozzie has been very, very good for us. I thought Ozzie played well (in Game Four)."

Hasek was yanked in Game Three after surrendered three goals on just 14 shots. Osgood turned aside all 13 shots he faced.

"It's Ozzie's time to step up," Hasek said. "Ozzie is the No. 1 guy (Friday). It's disappointing, but it's the way it is. The coaches believe they made the best decision."

Osgood played in 43 games during the regular season, posting a 27-9-4 record with a 2.09 goals-against average.