Update (7:59 PM): I should note that the Wings were also without Lidstrom for most of the Dec. 26 game against Nashville (3-2 loss) as well as the Dec. 27 game against Colorado (4-3 SO loss). In contrast with the Dec. 30th game with Chicago neither of those could be categorized as one of the Wings’ best this season.
So, yeah, comparing the Lidstrom-less Wings to the Rafalski-less Wings on the basis of the Dec. 30 game isn’t really fair. Still, Rafalski’s huge for this team, as shown last night. - Matt
First off, in this morning’s edition, the News’ Dave Dye explains Brian Rafalski’s mysterious absence last night: he took a shot off his left ankle and had to go out of the game in order to have X-rays taken. Fortunately, results were negative. So, the Wings dodged a bullet there.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I find the results of that second period without Rafalski to be interesting when contrasted with the result of the Lidstrom-less January 30th game against Chicago. The second 20 minutes last night were among the most lopsided against the Wings this season, while the Winter Classic Preview was among their best games.
It’s not quite a comparison of equal quantities, of course. That’s especially true when you consider the fact that the Wings were short a defenseman due to the in-game injury last night and had to adjust on the fly. On Dec. 30th, they were able to simply fill Lidstrom’s spot in the lineup with Chris Chelios and so have a full contingent of defenders.
Still, Rafalski’s rising and obvious importance to the team may add an interesting wrinkle to the discussions of a possible Lidstrom repeat with the Norris. In my mind, Nick is still the best defenseman in the game, the rise of Shea Weber and such other Norris-hopeful upstart punks notwithstanding. However, in light of rumblings that hockey mediots might be tired of voting for him, it may be time to start hyping Rafalski in order to at least keep the Trophy “in the family.”