Christmas time is almost over, Vegas Golden Knights fans. Hopefully, you got everything you wanted, ranging from that Bruce Cassidy cameo to the Jack Eichel jersey you've been seeking all year round. But now, it's time to get back to work on Monday.
That includes the Golden Knights, who are rolling with 49 points (best in the Pacific Division). They're 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, making them an unstoppable force in the Western Conference (and NHL!). Going back to work shouldn't be a problem for the winningest coach in Golden Knights history (119 wins), who's instilled a workman-like mentality in the team.
The good news is the Golden Knights have a cozy cushion in the playoff race, 10 points ahead of the Calgary Flames for a playoff spot. The bad news is they're not as solid in January (37-28-10) as they are in December (62-23-8). That means the Golden Knights must step up and get to work.
So what's the lesson for the boys in silver and gold heading into the second half of the season? What's the strategy for attacking the long slog of the schedule? If the Golden Knights want another Stanley Cup, they must adapt and tighten up some things. Here's a quick lesson on getting back into the workflow.
Some tips for getting back into the workflow
One way to get back into the workflow is taking things slow. If you're rushing into a project, you'll burn yourself out quickly. In turn, you'll struggle at your job and become stuck in a rut. That's something that'll hurt you, your friends, and your family.
Luckily for the Vegas Golden Knights, they have an easy schedule ahead. Their next game against a team in playoff position is on January 12 against the Minnesota Wild. In fact, they only play two road games before January 14 (both against San Jose), making the schedule light.
Starting off light will help the Golden Knights get into the proper workflow. The Edmonton Oilers (8-2-0) aren't going away any time soon. They have the two best players in the NHL in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, making life even harder. However, they also have an easy schedule in their own right, only facing three games against teams in playoff position (the Los Angeles Kings twice and the Boston Bruins) before January 15.
That also leads to the next point: preparation. That means getting your team healthy and preparing for anything heading your way. Ivan Barbashev might be day-to-day with an upper-body injury. However, the light workload will help the Golden Knights prepare for that tougher stretch. If the team can maintain that health throughout the season, there will be another Stanley Cup party at Toshiba Plaza.
Finally, don't think too much about it. When you're winning, you're having fun. You're not thinking about the impending divorce or any looming bills ahead. You're enjoying time with your team and are having a good laugh. If you love your job so much, you're not working a day in your life. That's the mentality that'll help the Golden Knights win throughout the season, leading them to another title.