There's always pressure playing in the NHL. You want to play your best game every game. Expectations are always gonna be there; it's just important that you know how to handle expectations.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I think some of the pressure comes from the expectations of other people. Like if your father played baseball, they expect you to be the big lifesaver or something when you play a sport.
It's tough in the NHL; you have to produce on a high level. And everybody expects you to do it because you make a lot of money. And I never minded it. I always want to be that guy.
You do not play hockey for good seasons. You play to win the Stanley Cup. It has to be the objective.
It takes the pressure off of your better players to know they don't always have to be on top of their game for the team to do well.
In a sportsperson's life, pressure is always there; you have to learn to deal with it.
I think everyone expects if you're in the lead, or if you're a favourite to win, you will win, and if you don't, then you're in a slump. It's not the case.
It is difficult to meet fan expectations, especially when people say, 'Oh, the last one was the best one.' It creates more pressure each time for the next game to top the last one.
Sometimes that happens. I know how it feels to lose eight or nine to nothing. It can be frustrating but it was good for us. This was a team that was hot the last nine games. It seemed like any puck we touched went our way.
I have a very high expectation for everything I do. And when I go out and compete, I expect myself to make every play.
I don't feel pressure going into games.