Without Nieuwendyk, opposing teams could focus on Mike Modano all night. Without Nieuwendyk, the Stars didn't have the ol' 1-2 punch. And we've all seen just how far a 1-punch act will go in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He was the best player on the ice until then. Players get hurt.
Players hide injuries.
Players miraculously appear back in action. And the best you can do is adjust. Dallas already was putting on a brave face after the game. It was comical in some ways, but it was also a great self-defense mechanism. Don't let the other team know how you feel.