:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1603806/GYI0062902727.jpg)
Chris Osgood was scheduled to return to the line-up tonight against the Capitals, although he would have been on the bench as Jimmy Howard is starting. However, some soreness has resurfaced for the 38-year-old netminder and it's forcing the Red Wings to recall Joey MacDonald from Grand Rapids.
Via the official Twitter account for the Red Wings:
The Red Wings have recalled Joey MacDonald from Grand Rapids. He will be available to play in tonight's game against Washington.
Bill Roose, the managing editor for the Red Wings' site tweeted this, confirming it was Osgood that was out:
The #RedWings have recalled Joey MacDonald to back-up Jimmy Howard tonite against the #Caps at JLA. Chris Osgood has reported some soreness.
Osgood has only played in 11 games this season and has missed substantial time with injury. Joey MacDonald has been serviceable in his games with Detroit this season, going 3-4-1 in 10 games played (some no decisions as relief work for Howard) and carrying a 2.47 GAA and .912 SV%. I'm more than okay with MacDonald as back-up to Howard and I think most people have been pleased with the way he's played as a call-up.
With the Red Wings playing again tomorrow night too, this is some insurance for Howard and MacDonald may be called on to play against the Blue Jackets. Not sure if there's a timetable yet for the return (again) for Osgood as "soreness" can mean any number of things.
The biggest question that remains for me is how long another setback will sideline Osgood. I don't think it's anything even close to serious enough to sideline him for a significant amount of additional time (rest of regular season), but you wonder when he'll get back to the line-up as the Wings are likely looking to rest Howard some of the games down the stretch. The number of games before the playoffs is dwindling though and positioning for first round match-ups could be big and how much Osgood is able to contribute is something to watch.
MacDonald will likely stay with the team for both games (even if Osgood feels better) just as a precautionary measure.