The Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks are in tense situations right now. One is three points ahead in the Pacific Division race. They're trying to maintain that lead without having a mental breakdown and get home-ice advantage for the first two playoff rounds.
The other is simply fighting for their playoff lives. Like the Calgary Flames on Saturday night, the Canucks are looking for any wins to stay alive for a playoff spot. The sudden emergence of the flaming hot St. Louis Blues has made life extremely difficult, leaving Quinn Hughes sad again.
Two points are on the line and ESPN is carrying the game. Golden Knights fans will be tense just hearing the Disney commentators gush over Patrick Mahomes like they were Nick Wright. Seriously, there's a Japanese baseball megastar and Jack Eichel that you can go crazy over. Why not start there?
Speaking of tension, there's also the international tensions between the United States and Canada. The back-and-forth battle of the tariffs has caused rough relations between the countries. The result? National anthems are being booed and relationships are broken. Sounds like a modern reality television show, eh?
But that's not the only tension in the air, though. There's also my upcoming trip to... Vancouver. That's right. It's my foray into Canada as I check out the hockey atmosphere in the country's national pastime. What will it bring? What awe-inspiring moments will I see when I'm there? Will I run into more TSA complications?
Why my trip to see the Vancouver Canucks will be tense
First, the overall logistics of a trip can be complicated. You have to worry about your rental car and whether your insurance will be enough to cover it. Hopefully, Canadians don't drive like they're in Romania and are courteous of their fellow people.
This will also be my first time in the Great White North (well, Vancouver probably doesn't snow as much as their fellow counterparts). Yes, someone from Michigan has never been to Canada in his lifetime. I still haven't seen it while writing about the Golden Knights.
No drinking trips with the buddies.
No going to Stratford to watch a play about William Shakespeare.
What will the trip bring? Will there be complications like delayed flights? Should I worry about colliding planes? The trip has me anxious to land in British Columbia, hoping for a fun time.
Still, that's the beauty of life. You don't know what you're going to get when you wake up. Could there be a big promotion heading your way? Maybe you're finally having the big question popped. Who knows? That's what makes life worth living.
That's why I'm excited to check out British Columbia for the week. I can't wait to see what comes from my trip. I also can't wait to see Canada's outer beauty and the mountain-filled landscape. What will the Vancouver Canucks do in a hockey game? The anticipation is killing me!
If you ever get a chance to travel, take it. It makes life much more bearable, whether you're seeing the Vegas Golden Knights and Canucks play or skiing in Whistler. You'll be surprised by what you see... and what you experience.