Imagine this, dear reader. You're waiting patiently for the Vegas Golden Knights to return, so you turn your attention to your fantasy football team. You're hoping for many points and to pummel your opponent. The only problem is Jalen Hurts has already thrown an interception and lost a fumble, leaving your team down by 30 points.
Who do you blame in this situation? Do you blame Hurts for being an overrated quarterback, despite having an elite offensive line? What about Nick Sirianni, who's making questionable decisions, of all people? Fantasy sports is a great escape for sports fans everywhere. However, it can be an absolute nightmare where it feels like the sky's falling on specific days.
That's especially true in fantasy hockey, where you pick the best players around the NHL. It doesn't matter if you start with Auston Matthews and pick Jonathan Marchessault or Jack Eichel. The fantasy element can frustrate some people to the point that they abandon their teams altogether. You can't win them all, right?
However, there are parallels to this to real life. Say something you started doesn't go your way. Perhaps you're starting a let's-play channel on YouTube and your capture card doesn't work out. You were hyped about sharing your video game talents with the world and wanted to showcase your personality. What will you do? Will you give up?
The point is don't quit on your fantasy team... yet
Yes, things don't always go your way. That's how life works, for it wasn't made to be easy (that is unless you were born with a lot of money). The Vegas Golden Knights knew they had a mountain to climb to repeat as Stanley Cup champions last season. Yes, defeating the Florida Panthers, 4-1, in the Stanley Cup Final was satisfying. However, getting back with a target on your head makes it much harder.
Sadly, they were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in seven games in last season's Stanley Cup playoffs, ending all hopes of a repeat. In fact, only eight teams have won back-to-back Stanley Cups in the sport, making it an impossible feat. The most recent? The Tampa Bay Lightning, who won consecutive Cups in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
That also applies to fantasy sports, where big names like Connor McDavid, Jonathan Marchessault, and Jack Eichel, aren't enough on some days. Sometimes, they'll have off-games together, giving you a living nightmare for one night, maybe two. However, it's only one bad day, so don't turn it into a bad week.
After all, there are other positives to look forward to, including the return of hockey on Sunday. Yes, it might be a preseason tilt. However, you can watch it on the Knighttime Plus app and crack open your favorite beer. Let's forget about Jalen Hurts for a second and release that pent-up energy from the fantasy football stress. Hockey's back, y'all.