Osgood May Miss Next Start

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

May 5, 1999 / 8:23 PM EDT / CBS Sportsline

The Detroit Red Wings might be playing without their No. 1 goalie, Chris Osgood, when they begin their Western Conference semifinal in Colorado on Friday.

Osgood strained a knee in Game 4 of the Red Wings' series sweep of Anaheim and Wednesday tried to practice for the first time since the series ended last Tuesday. He briefly took the ice at Joe Louis Arena, faced a few shots, banged his stick against the ice in frustration and then returned to the locker room.

Osgood has been receiving treatment on his knee from trainer John Wharton throughout the week. Monday, Osgood had an ultrasound and MRI testing, which showed no signs of damage.

"It's a day-to-day thing," Red Wings GM Ken Holland told the Detroit Free Press on Tuesday. "Certainly, we expect Chris to be in net Friday. It doesn't look like a serious injury."

Still, Osgood's reaction during practice might prove otherwise. Often teams hide the seriousness of injuries during the postseason, worried the opposition might try to take advantage of any weaknesses.

If Osgood is forced to sit, Bill Ranford -- a late-season acquisition from Tampa Bay and former playoff MVP -- likely will get the start Friday. Rookie Norm Maracle probably will back him up.