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Henrik Zetterberg, right, gives Pavel Datsyuk a pat on the head after Datsyuk's goal Saturday against the Blue Jackets.Wings: Notebook
Babcock: Legace's our goalie
Osgood will be backup when he returns from injury but coach wants competition at position.
COLUMBUS -- The Red Wings goaltender and the Lions quarterback are probably the most analyzed and criticized sports figures in Detroit.
The Lions apparently found their No. 1 quarterback in Jeff Garcia on Sunday.
The Wings have identified their No. 1 goalie, too, for what it's worth.
Coach Mike Babcock said after Saturday's game that Manny Legace is the No. 1 goalie. But it's not as a resounding vote of confidence as one might think.
"Straight forward, it's Manny's job," Babcock said. "Now, what does that mean? If you don't play good, you don't play."
The Wings sent Jimmy Howard to Grand Rapids and recalled Chris Osgood, who ended a two-game conditioning stint (groin injury) Saturday with a 35-save, 3-1 victory over Omaha.
Osgood will be No. 2 to Legace tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Legace, though appreciative of being named the temporary No. 1, understands Babcock's desire to maintain the competition.
"Rightfully so," Legace said. "Whoever is playing well should play, not favor one guy over the other.
"It doesn't matter much if you don't play well, or if you're not working well. If you're not doing those two things, you can go down the toilet in a hurry. It's funny how it can snowball.
"Getting Oz back, it should be a good system. He's played great here, he's won a (Stanley) Cup. He knows what it takes to win."
Legace entered Monday's game with the most victories in the league (8), and tied with Florida's Roberto Luongo for most shutouts (2). Legace's 1.77 goals-against average ranked ninth.
Thursday return
Babcock said after Sunday's practice that forward Steve Yzerman (groin) will play Thursday when the Red Wings play host to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Yzerman practiced Sunday, and has been working out with the rest of the team since Thursday.
But Babcock doesn't want to rush Yzerman into the lineup and have something go wrong. Yzerman missed the first four games because of the groin injury. He played two games before missing the last four.
"We're going to over do it, he'll be past ready," Babcock said.
Yzerman denied a brief item in the New York Post that said he's thinking about retiring. because of the early-season groin problems.
"It's pretty premature to think about not playing," Yzerman said.
Ice chips
Defenseman Jason Woolley pulled his groin late in Saturday's game. He won't play today and is listed as day to day. Jamie Rivers will take Woolley's place in the lineup.
... Former Wing Gerard Gallant, now the Blue Jackets coach, wasn't pleased with Saturday's game. "We had nothing going. There was one team playing," Gallant said.
Gallant wants, and expects, much more.
"Our guys know what it takes to win," Gallant said. "When you lose 6-0 in your own building, and you don't come hard on Monday night, then there's something wrong with you."
You can reach Ted Kulfan at (313) 223-4606, or ted.kulfan@detnews.com.
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