As I was walking around the neighborhood and taking a leak in my neighbor Phil's garden (wait, what?), I realized one thing. This hockey season is nearly over. No, not for the Vegas Golden Knights, mind you. They might be down 3-1.
But I'm talking about the hockey season in general. That means no "Hockey Night in Canada" games and no more trash-talking for the summer. I'm certainly not ready for this season to end, even it the result is less than desireable.
That's certainly the case for millions of Golden Knights fans, who've watched this team flourish during the regular season. Will Wednesday be the last game until October at T-Mobile Arena? Will this be the last time we hear "John Wick Mode" before every Golden Knights game in 2024-25? Stay tuned.
In the meantime, I did a little experiment before the playoffs started. I did an online poll, asking Golden Knights fans which trips they would take. That included seeing the Montreal Canadiens play at the historic Bell Centre and seeing a sad Chandler Stephenson with the Seattle Kraken.
The results? Well, let's just say we're hitting three of the four time zones. Oh, I also added a fourth game for good measure. Which game will be the bonus trip? Where are we packing our bags to for the continuing hockey journey?
Last time, it was a trip to a revived Detroit and scenic Vancouver. Here are four hockey trips I plan on taking next season.
1.) Los Angeles
So, story time. I went to Los Angeles in 2022 to watch the Vegas Golden Knights play the Kings. It was my annual Christmas trip to California and I was prepping for a fun night at Crypto.com Arena.
Granted, it was a rainy, foggy night in Los Angeles. But that didn't deter me from my nosebleed seats at the home of Kobe Bryant. Let's just say it was less than memorable after the Golden Knights lost by a score of 4-2.
The fans were rowdy and I had to deal with Tide Pod-eating 18-year-olds who didn't know what a faceoff circle was. Will that stop me from going to Crypto.com Arena again? Heck no! Personally, Los Angeles is a much cooler Southern California city than San Diego, where it's nothing but loud chuds that annoy you with their gum-chomping.
Cue the Randy Newman song!
2.) Dallas
Now, I was browsing for hotel prices when my jaw dropped. $220 dollars for a two-night stay in Dallas. FOR A FOUR-STAR HOTEL?!?
My eyes couldn't believe it, either. Still, next season will be a trip to see Pete DeBoer behind the bench for another hockey game. Cue up the Pantera and George Strait and get ready to hit up a Buc-ee's because we're going to Dallas!
Checking out the Stars is essential viewing. Now they have Mikko Rantanen to go with Jason Robertson and Jake Oettinger. Imagine watching a team of super-animals that consists of a moose and an otter. At this rate, it looks like nothing will stop the furry avengers this postseason. As they say, everything's bigger in Texas!
3.) Montreal
Now this is the big one. The Montreal Canadiens have a storied history, consisting of 24 Stanley Cups and legendary hockey players within their franchise. That includes Maurice Richard and Guy Lafleur, all of whom have made an impressive impact on the game of hockey.
Bell Centre will be an epic time, especially if the Golden Knights play the Canadiens during the winter months. Who doesn't love touching up their French and checking out a pseudo-European city during the frigid winter months?
Most of all, it'll be an exploration of hockey's history and its greatest stories. That ranges from the classic Canadiens-Maple Leafs rivalry to the franchise's dominance during the 1970s. This is the trip I'm looking forward to the most, especially with the hockey pedigree Montreal carries.
4.) Tampa
Surprisingly, the city of Tampa has some hockey history of its own. Just look at the recent run of Stanley Cups the Lightning have put together. Combine that with Florida's immaculate weather and this is the one road trip hockey fans should explore.
The Lightning are similarly run like the Vegas Golden Knights. Both franchises have made tough decisions in the past year, watching both superstars sing alongside Carrie Underwood. Both have also won the Stanley Cup at least once in the past decade.
I can't wait to see what Tampa offers for this hockey fan. Who knows? Maybe a stay at a bed-and-breakfast will make things even better.