The Perfect Routine

In case you missed the Ver...errr...sus...NBC Sports program 36 featuring Nicklas Lidstrom, you can read this dude's awesome article that basically scripts the entire thing without a single bit of the writer's own thought or opinion.  C'mon mlive, you can do better than this.  I hate to hate, but seriously, who wants to read all the quotes from a television program?  Would you rather read Pulp Fiction's screenplay or watch the movie?  Would you want to read a full transcript of Mickey and Ken calling a game or listen to them while watching the Wings?  Apologies, I did not mean to digress in the opening paragraph.

So, Lidstrom, 36.  Cameras follow el Captain (that's Spanish for 'The Captain") throughout his boring-ass game-day routine as he prepares for back-to-back games against Buffalo at the Joe and the Stars in Dallas.  Remember those games?  The Wings ruined Ryan Miller's Michigan homecoming by running him off the ice in a 5-0 rout and a franchise record setting 15th consecutive home victory.  The following night was a grinder that resulted in a shootout win featuring Jiri Hudler's best Henrik Zetterberg impression.  Two good games to follow Lids, eh?

If the program were about a guy that did not wear the Winged Wheel I probably would have flipped over to a rerun of It's Always Sunny.  Seriously though, as odd as this might sound, watching Lidstrom's daily ritual is kind of like watching him on the ice.  It's a ho-hum affair of business as usual.  His ordinary life is anything but extraordinary, but it's really amazing how he carries that brand of focused, nonchalant attitude in every aspect of his life, be it dropping his kid off at school or shutting down another team's top line.  You'd be as surprised to see him make a mistake in his own zone as you would if he forgot to pick up his son at hockey practice.

But it's the routine that makes Lids so special.  That boring day in, day out, same ol' same ol' that helped make him the best ever.  It's also what still keeps him ranked amongst the best at age 41.  His consistency and ritual make him a model to his teammates.  You have to wonder if Thomas Holmstrom would really eat lunch at the same table at the same restaurant every game day if it weren't for Lidstrom sitting across from him.  You gotta wonder if Holmer would pick up anybody else in his Ford F-150 before every game if it weren't part of his Captain's schedule.  Lidstrom's routine affects others.

And finally, one must wonder if the routine is a big reason why he keeps returning season after season.  For a lot of people, quitting something is followed by a grave stone.  Just ask the administration at Penn State.  Damn, that just turned dark...RIP Joe Pa.

Anyway, what I took away from this installment of 36 is that Nicklas Lidstrom is addicted to this routine, this lifestyle.  Let's just hope he continues to struggle with booting his affliction.

Peace. AWP