If so, add another notch to an extraordinary list of achievements for one of professional sports' most honored coaches. But this is what we've come to expect from the master. He keeps everyone on edge throughout the regular season, keeping the players hungry by often making them angry. But being prepared to overcome injuries at playoff time is certainly one reason why he likes to move everybody around so they become more familiar playing with everybody. You're not surprised if you're suddenly playing with somebody else.
Nobody starts freaking if some guys go down.
Despite the injury uncertainty, there's not the slightest sniff of panic in the Wings' dressing room. They're only one game through the playoffs, one lap through a long endurance race. The shock from Thursday's sick bay roll call has worn off, replaced by the confident assurance that the Wings have been through enough wars together to understand that one must step up when another steps out. It was tough hearing that we were going to be without Stevie and Shanny both for at least the next couple games. But after a while, you realize that missing key people is sometimes a part of the game, and you have to overcome it with other guys contributing a little more than they have in the past.