A simple post about what happens when the leader is out from January of 2008. And no nothing about Souray’s divorce will ever be published on here. Enjoy.
When your leader gets hurt or is out of the lineup……what happens next to a team? It is an age old question that really does not have one definitive answer. If you think it does, then you may be considered a little more than cuckoo. I don’t know how many times I hear an announcer go, “Well he is the heart and soul of the team…what will they do without them.” Some teams have found out this season in a much too harsh way.
First up is Sidney Crosby who left in the first period against the Lightning the other night. The Penguins later lost 3-0 to the Bolts but rebounded last night in a great show of character by Dany Sabourin and Evgeni Malkin in a 2-0 win at Montreal. Pittsburgh actually dominated most of the third period against Montreal…firing 11 shots on Cristobal Huet before Malkin nabbed the game winner. But it was the effort by Malkin that caught my eye. He played a two way game and was a physical presence when he had to be. It was something that enveloped the Pens last night and that is not a bad thing. If that effort stays contagious, the injury to Crosby may not really hurt so much.
Then we go to New Jersey where yes I know there is the ZZ Pop line, Elias, and Brodeur but John Madden really is the unofficial heart and soul of this team. In a game Friday night that wreaked of a needed presence by Madden…the Devils failed badly in the first 5:00 of the third period which led to two quick Florida goals. The end result was a 2-1 loss very similar to the loss against the Islanders Wednesday night. Martin Brodeur can only do so much but for some reason the loss of Madden does hurt…he gives this team a life that makes anything possible. You can never underestimate that intangible.
Take a look in Tampa where the defensive leader, Dan Boyle, has been out pretty much all season. Anyone wonder why Tampa is where they are in the standings??? BAM! It is right there in Boyle’s injury. Without Boyle, they are not the same team and it just amplifies the problems with goaltending. He is an under the radar defenseman as far as the Norris award goes but that does not diminish his value to the Bolts, if anything, it increases his meaning to the team. So with Tampa radio constantly calling for the coach’s head…the only thing he is wishing right now is for the production of Boyle to come back and sometime soon.
So just remember the leader of the team doesn’t necessarily have to be the captain per se…..but boy when they are out, they can make an impact…whether it be good or bad. Either way, it does put pressure on the entire team and organization no matter how good they are.
