Different thoughts on Connolly?
Everybody's taken their shots at Tim Connolly's toughness through years. It's usually warranted because there have been a history of injuries that were supposed to sideline him for a day or two that turn into monthlong ordeals.
But not this time. The center told The News on Saturday he broke his rib Nov. 12 when Keith Tkachuk blasted him. Despite that injury, Connolly actually suited up two nights later and played a team-high 21:06.
"I've never played through that much pain in my life," he said.
He knew something was wrong even though a first examination revealed little. X-rays the second time showed a clean break. It hurt to breathe, yet he sucked in more air than anyone else against Columbus on Nov. 14.
"I give him a lot of credit for muscling his way through one game," coach Lindy Ruff said last week.
No argument here.
---John Vogl
