In 19 Olympic games, he allowed 33 goals for a 1.74 goals-against average.

But Tretiak once found himself on the wrong side of the Soviet hockey empire. In the early 1980s, Red Army swept into Austria to play an exhibition. Because the level of hockey was ridiculously uneven, the Soviets offered to loan Tretiak to the Austrians for a period.

The mighty Tretiak let in nine goals.

"It was the worst game he ever played," said defenseman Slava Fetisov, Tretiak's Red Army teammate.

Without the Big Red Machine in front of him, Tretiak was remarkably vulnerable.

Just as Mike Vernon was this season in San Jose, playing without the Red Wings in front of him. Without Nick Lidstrom, Vladimir Konstantinov and company, Vernon's goals-against average rose and his save percentage fell.

"It's what we are taught since little children," Fetisov said. "A goalie is last defense. We have to do our job to stop puck first."

That job got harder when Konstantinov's career ended last June, six days after the Wings won the Stanley Cup.

"It's tough to not have Vladimir, especially on defensive side of puck," Fetisov said. "We have to play more tight defensively. Guys try their best."

The road to the Cup finals has been bumpier this year, particularly for goaltender Chris Osgood.

He has faced 530 shots in 18 playoff games. His counterpart last year, Vernon, faced 494 shots in 20 games. Yet until Osgood wins the biggest prize in North American hockey, critics will continue to question his mettle.

"It's like Ronaldo, the Brazilian soccer star," center Igor Larionov said. "He is the best player in the world, but he said a couple days ago he had not made history yet because he had not won the World Cup. I guess until Ozzie wins the Stanley Cup, there will be talk. Right now, everybody is still anxious about his performance."

For good reason. Osgood allowed a bad goal on a shot from the blue line by Jeremy Roenick in Round 1; another by Al MacInnis from the red line in Round 2; and Jamie Langenbrunner's center-ice shot that won a game in Round 3. But calm was restored when Osgood bounced back with strong performances in the next games after those goals.

"If I play a series and let in one I wish I could have had back and we win, who cares?" Osgood said. "Every period isn't going to go my way. One play isn't going to bring me down. I think every player makes mistakes, that's why it's a team thing -- everybody covers for everybody. We play as a team. My average and save percentage last series speak for themselves."

Osgood, 25, finished the Dallas series with a 1.66 goals-against average, .938 save percentage and two shutouts -- twice as many as Vernon had last spring. In the past 15 games, Osgood has a 1.81 goals-against and .932 save percentage.

Vernon had a 1.76 goals-against average and .927 save percentage en route to winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP.

"Everybody can make mistake," left wing Slava Kozlov said. "Chris is not a machine, he's a person. Those three goals from the red line just give people something to talk about. I think shutouts give him confidence. Now he is going for finals with good feelings."