The Columbus Blue Jackets are taking an interesting strategy as they try to tackle their first trip to Las Vegas.
Clearly the biggest story of the NHL season has been the Columbus Blue Jackets losing their beautiful third jerseys due to the Adidas takeover. Huge news. The second biggest story is the Vegas Golden Knights.
Vegas is having the best season ever for an expansion team in North American sports history. They are on top of the Western Conference and are rolling toward the playoffs just like everyone expected. A big part of that success is Vegas’ staggering home record of 18-2-2, the best in the NHL.
Many attributed the success of the Golden Knights at home due to the “Vegas Flu”. Greg Wyshinsky of ESPN defined the Vegas Flu as:
"…a contagious infirmity that’s the result of late nights at the casino tables or the clubs that surround them, getting swallowed up by the 24-hour party of Sin City, and being so hungover that they’re only one strong body check away from soiling themselves, like Nick Brophy of the Hyannisport Presidents at the beginning of “Slap Shot.”"
It’s hard to deny this is true. You have young, rich athletes with the glitz and glam of Vegas staring them in the face 24/7. It has been a popular spot for dad’s trips and rookie parties.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Many teams have taken the strategy of flying in the day of the game and leaving right after. Some teams, like the Toronto Maple Leafs, stay in a hotel an hour away from the strip. But not the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Jackets arrived Saturday for a Tuesday game in Vegas. They will be staying at a hotel on the strip and they guys will have plenty of time to explore Sin City.
Playing Guilty
Coach John Tortorella, being the noted “players coach” that he is, decided that heading out early was the best strategy. Torts said that not enough guys “play guilty” anymore. They never deviate from their regimented lives and have some fun that they probably shouldn’t.
Torts is hoping the team goes out and has some fun and comes back to the ice ready to work hard and show that they earned the fun on the strip. The team will practice Sunday and Monday before Tuesday’s game but they will have some time to build up some guilt.
The team’s rookie party will be this weekend where Pierre-Luc Dubois‘ plastic will be put to the test as the team will hit one of Vegas’ many fantastic restaurant. He’ll hopefully get a good chunk of miles for his flight back to Montreal in the offseason.
Only two teams have been able to not catch the Vegas flu and win in regulation this season. Maybe this strategy of letting the boys be boys is the answer to defeating the Golden Knights.
After all, alcohol kills germs right?