In a sport as fast, aggressive and dangerous as hockey, injuries are simply a part of the game.
Like slap shots, power-plays and hip checks, injuries are one of the things that makes hockey the game that it is.
When a key player goes down, an opportunity for another player to step up and prove himself emerges, and as a result, a new hockey star might be born.
In some cases, injuries can be a rallying point around which the team finds motivation to excel in the face of adversity. Stanley Cups have been won with such motivation.
In short, injuries can, in a way, be a good thing.
But, more often than not, injuries to key players benefit only that team's opposition.
No one would openly admit it, but, when you look at the roster of your opponent and you don't see their leading scorer or No. 1 defenseman on it, you breathe a little easier knowing that, at least tonight, a 'W' might be easier to skate away with.
Since the league has become faster and the players stronger, injuries come along at a fairly even clip nowadays in the NHL.
Indeed, just two weeks into this season, we find that sev ...
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Article written by Matt Hutter
NHL Injuries: The Hurt Factor: Key Injuries Already Putting The Hurt on Teams
October 17th, 2010 by Matt Hutter Leave a reply »
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