It's been a end of the month for Detroit's tallest Swedes. Last week, Elmer Soderblom took a puck to the face in Detroit's game against the Washington Capitals, having to exit the Dec. 21contest to receive stitches in the locker room before returning to the game with a full-face visor. Then, last night, Simon Edvinsson took a shot from Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews to the back of his knee. It was the second time Red Wings fans had witnessed the titanic defenseman felled, as he blocked a shot in a similar manner in early November.
Edvinsson heroically finished his shift, including another block with his stick, before having to be assisted off the ice. Edvinsson returned to the game after missing only two minutes in the second period. Many at home were shocked at the quick turnaround, as Edvinsson had appeared to be struggling to stand on the leg as he headed into the locker room.
Postgame, Edvinsson credited Detroit's trainers with having worked "magic" on the knee in the locker room.
The 6'6" defenseman has been having an incredible season playing on Detroit's top pairing with Mo Seider. Edvinsson, in his second full season with the Detroit, is averaging 22 minutes a night, with five goals, nine assists, and a +8 rating. Seider is getting most of the attention this season as a potential Norris Trophy challenger to Cale Makar, but Edvinsson has been almost as important to Detroit's blue line.
He's behind only Seider on the team in most defensive metrics, and his goal in overtime against Toronto was his second game winner of the season. Edvinsson had three goals like that last year, and his offensive metrics have been improving at nearly the same clip as his defensive play these last two years.
Detroit's top pairing faces some of the toughest minutes in the NHL, making his return and ability to finish the game for the Red Wing crucial not just for the offense it generates, but for the ability to shut down opposing offences. Seider and Edvinsson had the game tying and game winning goals against the Maple Leafs, but it was their ability to stop Auston Matthews on a night without Willy Nylander that truly kept won the game for Detroit.
Without Edvinsson, Seider's job gets exponentially harder, and while the big German can likely handle it, the rest of the team likely wouldn't be as confident without the massive Swede having their backs.