Before I headed to Vancouver last week, I was fretting that I didn't have sufficient funds for the trip. My check didn't clear (yet) and I was losing sleep.
"What happens if I don't have the money by the morning?"
"Oh God, I don't want to call my dad for help..."
"Should I consider selling my Bitcoin?"
Luckily, none of that happened and I made it to Vancouver in one piece. I was greeted by friendly Canadians and had the time of my life watching my first NHL game in Canada.
Of course, I know I'm not alone in this feeling. Vegas Golden Knights fans are panicking after Game 2's embarrassing dud. Despite a solid game from Alex Pietrangelo, the Golden Knights were blitzed by the Minnesota Wild in the first period. Three goals put Bruce Cassidy in a foul mood, leaving him to talk to some players.
We've all been in that situation before. That feeling extends beyond hockey and into real life.
"What if I don't get that promotion?"
"I hope my child is okay."
If you haven't had these thoughts before in your life, you're probably lying. We've worried about being stuck in traffic and being late for our jobs. We've worried about whether our love interest loves us back. It's nothing new for regular people.
So why should this be any different? Here's the thing. The Golden Knights are still the betting favorites to move to the second round (63.5% according to MoneyPuck). They also have Cassidy behind the bench to right the ship, along with superstars like Alex Pietrangelo. But a brief lesson from not long ago should also help fans relax.
Why Vegas Golden Knights fans shouldn't panic after the Game 2 debacle
The Golden Knights know that Bruce Cassidy doesn't like his players living in 2023. He was stern about such nostalgia after Game 2's disastrous loss. So what was his message after Tuesday's disaster?
"Some guys need a pep talk. Some guys need a hug today, and they'll get it."Bruce Cassidy
Fans will also remember a couple of duds from that postseason. Take your pick from the first-round dud in Game 1 against Winnipeg or the second-round rout in Game 2 from Edmonton. What happened in both rounds?
Well, Vegas persevered and moved to the Western Conference Final. The rest, as they say in a cliche (Rhymes Like Dimes), is history.
Look, it's virtually impossible to win 16 straight games. It can't even be done in the NFL. Just look at what happened in 2007 to the one team that did. A helmet catch and Michael Strahan ended Tom Brady's dream of winning yet another title.
The good news is the Golden Knights only need 15 more games to hoist Lord Stanley. Even better, they haven't been eliminated.
Would you like to see Vegas win every single home game? Heck yeah! But even that feat is impossible. Do you want to see them lay an egg against the Minnesota Wild? Heck no! The best news is that this is the best-of-seven series.
The moral of the story? Breathe. Yes, Tuesday's game against the Wild was painful. However, Minnesota must also win three more games itself. This isn't a one-and-done deal like the NFL. Thank goodness, because mass hysteria would ensue if that were the case.