Page 95 of For the Win

“Maybe we should do our couples’ yoga in the bedroom.”

“You like the couples’ yoga?”

“Are you kidding?I get to put my hands on you and put my face between your legs.What’s not to love?”

Late Monday night I leave her at her place, alone, and go home to my solitary bed so I can get a good night’s sleep.Tomorrow night the playoffs start.

We ended up two points ahead of Vancouver, so we have home-ice advantage, and start the series at home Tuesday night.This is the first time I’ve ever played an NHL playoff game, although I’ve played in plenty of playoff games in the AHL.I’ve gotten advice from some of the veterans, and the team has a sports psychology consultant from UCLA working with us.He tells us that mental and emotional skills are just as important for the playoffs as physical skills.

There are vets like Jimmy, Olle, and Richie who have a lot of playoff experience, albeit years ago.There are brand-new guys like Eddie and Meals.And then there are guys like me, who have some experience with it, either in the NHL or AHL.

Brian knows we don’t want to sit through hour-long meetings talking about this stuff, so he gets us watching short video clips of experienced professional athletes talking about focus, dealing with pressure, and visualization.Even a pro golfer talks about each shot he takes being the most important thing in the world at that moment.We listen to guys talk about blocking out everything else and dealing with pressure by keeping things simple and remembering to breathe.

Breathing makes me think about Arya, and what I’ve learned from her, which increases my confidence that I can do this.

“Embrace the pressure,” Brian tells us.“Let your talent and your training come out.And don’t focus on the outcome of the game.Sounds like it doesn’t make sense, because you have to win.But you need to remember the process of the game, focusing on doing what ittakesto win, not on the need to win.”

The team even has a playoff theme: “Now’s our time.”It’s on everything—banners in the dressing room, on the walls in the corridors, and in the motivational video the team put together for us.

I text Arya from my bedroom Thursday afternoon just before I leave for the arena.I’ve had my nap, I’m dressed in my suit, including my lucky Wolverine socks, sitting on my bed.Once I get to the arena, I’ll put my phone in my locker and won’t look at it again until after the game.

She texts me back.

Are you nervous?

Yeah.No.Excited.Okay yeah nervous.

I laugh out loud and rub my mouth.I feel like I’m electrified, buzzing with energy.I have to control that energy.

I’ll be there cheering you on.

Good.

You’ll be great.Remember—breathe.

Yep!

I want to say more.I wish she was here so I could feel her, wrap her in my arms and kiss her.I’d like to end the text convo with alove you,but it’s too soon for that.I just have to be patient.One thing at a time.

Okay I’m off.Have fun at the game.

Ash is in the living room.He too is heading to the game, also dressed in a suit and trying unsuccessfully to tie his tie.He makes a frustrated noise.

I smile and walk up to him.“Here.”I start the knot from fresh, twirling the silk fabric expertly and then snugging the knot up.“There you go.”I slap his shoulder.

He grins.“Thanks, man.”

“I’m out.”I start to move away.

“Hey.”

I stop and look at him.

“How’re you doing?Okay?”

“Yeah.Good.”I suck in a breath and nod.

He steps forward and gives me a bro hug.“Good luck.”

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