Anyways, its just now clicking that I'm in D.C. for this series. I'm just running off the assumption I'm gonna get punched at least once.

Apparently D.C. does this cool thing where they hide free tickets across the city. Apparently a pair was found this morning in the park my fiancee walks through every day on her way to work. Would have been sweet if she had been the one to find them.

Anyways, its just now clicking that I'm in D.C. for this series. I'm just running off the assumption I'm gonna get punched at least once.

Apparently D.C. does this cool thing where they hide free tickets across the city. Apparently a pair was found this morning in the park my fiancee walks through every day on her way to work. Would have been sweet if she had been the one to find them.
- Victoro311

Sounds like their people throw away tickets out of shame and misery

Not just my narrative.

https://www.independent.c...r-from-stress-424937.html
- MattStrat

Alright, that was a solid article. A lot of information to digest. From the athletes mentioned, there was substantial evidence that their play in their respective sports had dropped, also the pressure was not JUST from the sports.

Sol Campbell - high status relationship ended, on field play suffered.
Graeme Obree - bipolar personality disorder, attempted suicide
Dame Kelly Holmes - injuries drove her to depression
Scott Harrison - arrested on aggravated assault charges
Dean Robertson - personal/private life problems
Marcus Trescothick - suffered from anxiety due to family seperation and post-natal depression in his wife
Richard Hill - developed depression after getting an infection from injury

None of the athletes in the article, from the brief research I did, seem to have their depression stemming from sports, most seem to have issues behind the scenes.

BUT I will say, it was a good article, and it does show that there are outside influences on athletes play. Although, looking at Ovi's stats in the playoffs, he continually produces at an elite level in the playoffs, and I don't believe there are any signs that pressure "gets to him." But all in all, it was a good read. Made me want to research a little bit more about each athlete.

Sounds like their people throw away tickets out of shame and misery
- Guile

Its the Caps' org, but they probably should haha (and that's the cockiest thing you'll hear me say regarding this series for a while because I have a really bad feeling about this one).

This is such a boring conversation...
- Victoro311

Ok, how about this then...

What did everyone think about the Giroux hit?

I do think fans feel nervous more than the players do.

I (frank)ing stand in front of the TV the whole game and drink beers like I'm in Beerfest. During commercials I pace. I post on here during the game as an outlet
- Thorny87

This is such a boring conversation...
- Victoro311

I actually enjoyed it. MattStrat linked a really interesting article.

From observation I consider Ovechkin a pressure neutral player. I wouldn't say he necessarily elevates his game, but he plays at the same high level he always does.
- Victoro311

I was actually going to say that.

Ok, how about this then...

What did everyone think about the Giroux hit?
- Rinosaur

BOOOOOOOOOOO THIS MAN!!!!

Injury update from TIOPS:

The thought is Hagelin is going to miss the whole series, or at least that's the mindset of the team right now.

Malkin's injury would be keeping him out for 3-4 weeks during the regular season, but he's intent on returning between games 2-4 and clearly won't be 100%.

Team doctor's believe he won't risk long-term injury if he were to play, so that's a plus.

BOOOOOOOOOOO THIS MAN!!!!
- Victoro311

Alright, that was a solid article. A lot of information to digest. From the athletes mentioned, there was substantial evidence that their play in their respective sports had dropped, also the pressure was not JUST from the sports.

Sol Campbell - high status relationship ended, on field play suffered.
Graeme Obree - bipolar personality disorder, attempted suicide
Dame Kelly Holmes - injuries drove her to depression
Scott Harrison - arrested on aggravated assault charges
Dean Robertson - personal/private life problems
Marcus Trescothick - suffered from anxiety due to family seperation and post-natal depression in his wife
Richard Hill - developed depression after getting an infection from injury

None of the athletes in the article, from the brief research I did, seem to have their depression stemming from sports, most seem to have issues behind the scenes.

BUT I will say, it was a good article, and it does show that there are outside influences on athletes play. Although, looking at Ovi's stats in the playoffs, he continually produces at an elite level in the playoffs, and I don't believe there are any signs that pressure "gets to him." But all in all, it was a good read. Made me want to research a little bit more about each athlete.
- j.boyd919

Ultimately every person is different. Pressure is going to effect every person differently. Some thrive in it, some are hurt by it and some are not phased good or bad by it... I just cant get behind saying its nothing and that no one feels it in the NHL.

I cant help but think about how someone like Ray Bourque felt in that final season and run with the Avs. He must of felt a lot of pressure there to finally hoist that cup knowing that if he didnt get it that year he never would in his life. His life long dream since he was a little boy would never come to fruition.

Ok, how about this then...

What did everyone think about the Giroux hit?
- Rinosaur

hahaha GTFO

Injury update from TIOPS:

The thought is Hagelin is going to miss the whole series, or at least that's the mindset of the team right now.

Malkin's injury would be keeping him out for 3-4 weeks during the regular season, but he's intent on returning between games 2-4 and clearly won't be 100%.

Team doctor's believe he won't risk long-term injury if he were to play, so that's a plus.
- Rinosaur

We're gonna be pretty thin when the inevitable Wilson injury happens

We're gonna be pretty thin when the inevitable Wilson injury happens
- Thorny87

My hope is Oleksiak will have an affect on negating Wilson's nonsense.

Ultimately every person is different. Pressure is going to effect every person differently. Some thrive in it, some are hurt by it and some are not phased good or bad by it... I just cant get behind saying its nothing and that no one feels it in the NHL.

I cant help but think about how someone like Ray Bourque felt in that final season and run with the Avs. He must of felt a lot of pressure there to finally hoist that cup knowing that if he didnt get it that year he never would in his life. His life long dream since he was a little boy would never come to fruition.
- MattStrat

I do believe players feel pressure, until the moment the puck drops. I think at that point, for the most part, it's just another game.

Clod feels the pressure

https://www.bardown.com/c...erently-at-home-1.1068897

I do believe players feel pressure, until the moment the puck drops. I think at that point, for the most part, it's just another game.
- j.boyd919

I know what you're trying to say, but in the playoffs I doubt they look at it as "just another game." I think they just don't look forward. They only think about one game at a time.

There's no way a team or player doesn't feel pressure if they're down in the playoff series close to elimination.

That practice report about Geno sounds pretty good. I bet he plays Sunday.

That practice report about Geno sounds pretty good. I bet he plays Sunday.
- madmike71

Did Hags skate before the team?

Did Hags skate before the team?
- Thorny87

He didn't make the trip. He's back in Pittsburgh.

He didn't make the trip. He's back in Pittsburgh.
- j.boyd919

Oh yeah.

I know what you're trying to say, but in the playoffs I doubt they look at it as "just another game." I think they just don't look forward. They only think about one game at a time.

There's no way a team or player doesn't feel pressure if they're down in the playoff series close to elimination.
- Rinosaur

Agree with this. Obviously, pressure is going to be different in game 1 vs game 7.
Beyond Hockey, I can think of numerous players that struggled under pressure in big games.

This subject sucks.

Agree with this. Obviously, pressure is going to be different in game 1 vs game 7.
Beyond Hockey, I can think of numerous players that struggled under pressure in big games.

This subject sucks.
- madmike71

Anybody else have superstitions?

Pre game rituals, in game habits, certain beers/liquor, special hats/jerseys before each game in the playoffs?

Anybody else have superstitions?

Pre game rituals, in game habits, certain beers/liquor, special hats/jerseys before each game in the playoffs?
- Thorny87

No superstitions, but I haven't missed a second of DET playoff hockey the last 2 seasons now.