ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart said a recent stretch that has seen his plus-minus rating dip does not indicate he is getting worn down or has hit a wall.

Stuart, by most accounts, was the team's best and most consistent defenseman the first half of the season. It might seem like the extra ice time and added responsibilities (power play) because of injuries have taken a toll, since he has posted a minus-10 rating over the past 13 games.

But Stuart noted that plus-minus can be a misleading statistic, good or bad.

"I don't like to get too involved in that stat,'' Stuart said. "Some of it is back luck. When you look at some of the goals, what are you going to do? I think if you start worrying about it that's when it can affect your game.''

Stuart is averaging 3 1/2 minutes more per game than last season (23:43, compared to 20:13). He leads the team with 90 blocked shots. He also leads the club's active players with 144 hits, second to Justin Abdelakder's 152.

Despite Stuart's physical play, he has only 14 penalty minutes.