"It's kind of funny," said Ward, following Boston's tuneup in Wilmington yesterday in preparation for Game 2 tonight in Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. "But I've gotten used to seeing teams come out for the next period, and you can tell they're thinking, 'OK, that didn't work, let's try the other guy's side.' You know that's what they've been talking about between periods."
Which is another way of saying that Ward, his name etched into the Stanley Cup three times, is somewhat of the crash dummy in Boston's outstanding A (as in Aaron) to Z (as in Zdeno) shutdown pairing. Opponents grow tired of seeing their forwards race down the right side and disappear into the abyss, often turned back by Chara's long, probing forecheck.
Ultimately, Ward becomes the preferred option, but rarely does "preferred" turn into better.
"Not much mystery to it," said Ward. "Anyone who has watched us play knows, in that situation, you're going to get the puck and get rid of it as soon as you can. And you're either going to get it to your partner or the supporting winger."
Option A, no matter who partners with Chara, is typically to get it to Chara. Whenever he is on the ice, he is Rome, with all roads leading his way. If the Canes try to exploit Ward tonight, toss the puck his way off the rush, Chara will slide over for support and be prepared for the outlet pass. Most of the time, Ward will toss it his way.
No doubt getting Ward to "turn around" will be high on Eric Staal's to-do list tonight, after the slick pivot once again was tied into knots by Chara during Boston's 4-1 victory in Game 1 Friday.
Durable and willing, Ward played a like role with the Red Wings when he got his name on the Cup in 1997 and '98. Three years ago when he won the Cup with Carolina, recalled Ward, it was more of a hybrid role, mixing and matching with the other five defensemen against the other side's varying trios.
"In the big scheme of things," said Ward, "it really doesn't matter who gets credit for what out there, or really what your individual role is - that's the thing to remember if there is a chance to win the Cup.
