Before the first-round playoff series against the Red Wings, whatever chance analysts gave the Blue Jackets was based on the poor regular season of goaltender Chris Osgood.

Considering that the 15-year veteran had a .887 save percentage and allowed 3.09 goals per game, that didn't seem like a stretch.

Not anymore. Osgood came within four minutes of shutting out the Blue Jackets for a second straight game in the Red Wings' 4-1 victory in Nationwide Arena last night.

Osgood acknowledged being "in a pretty dark tunnel in January," but said he had no doubt he would rise to the occasion in the playoffs. Having won three Stanley Cups, two as a starter, is a good reason for confidence.

"I know how to get to that point where I need to play at a high level," he said.

He said he began to turn it around with 15 games left in the season. Now he feels he's primed for a long playoff run.

"I've felt it since the playoffs started," he said. "I love this time of year. It's fun for us."

Though the playoffs are old hat for the Red Wings, Osgood said they were energized by playing in the Jackets' first home postseason game.

"It was awesome," he said. "Coming to the hotel last night, it was way different than the regular season. People were cruising around the hotel fired up about the game. You could feel it driving in to the game. It's fun for us."

The game was even more fun. The Red Wings scored a minute into the game and again in the final minute of the first period. Aided by solid play from his defensemen, Osgood didn't face a lot of tough chances. But he made several clutch saves, including point-blank shots by Kristian Huselius and Raffi Torres.

"He's been unbelievable for us," forward Dan Cleary said. "Mentally, he's as strong as they come. His ability to play in big games and situations let's be honest, he was the No. 1 star tonight."

As for the whispers that Osgood was the weak link in what is otherwise a Detroit juggernaut, he couldn't care less.

"I'm so far beyond that that it's not even funny," he said. "I don't read the papers. I don't listen to sports-talk (radio). People talk, and talk is cheap. When we look around the room, each and every guy knows we're going to be there for each other."

Though the Red Wings have outscored the Blue Jackets 12-2 and can sweep the series Thursday, Osgood has been around long enough to know the dangers of complacency.

"We know how hard it is to put somebody out," he said. "We've got to be focused."

brabinowitz@dispatch.com