Every Stanley Cup-chasing squad has peculiar travel habits.

When the Florida Panthers’ initial flight for the Stanley Cup Final was delayed, it resulted in additional time on the tarmac before their nearly six-hour journey across North America.

Upon arrival, forward Anton Lundell quipped, “Those of us playing cards had a little extra time to win or lose some money.” Of course, there was already plenty of opportunity for that.

In what is the series with the longest distance between teams in final history, the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers are spending almost as much time in the air traveling between games as they are on the ice playing them.

To pass the time and further strengthen team camaraderie late in a grueling season, players have turned to poker and other card games, as well as activities like Mario Kart.

“We spend a lot of time on that plane,” noted Edmonton captain Connor McDavid. “But we make the most of it.

“Some guys play cards, some play on the Nintendo Switch, and others just catch up on sleep. Everyone finds their own way to pass the time.”

It’s all about Mario Kart for the Oilers. According to goalie Stuart Skinner, McDavid portrays Luigi, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mario, and Darnell Nurse, whichever emotion he is experiencing at the time.

“He just tries to find any which way to beat us, which never happens,” Skinner stated.

 

For the Panthers, cards are the game. Their jet is basically equipped with a miniature casino with a poker table and a seven-up table.

Kevin Stenlund, a center who plays seven-up, said, “It’s different, but both are intense.”

“It’s a lot of cards, but it definitely helps.”

When retired goalie Devan Dubnyk heard about Florida’s on-plane poker games, he became envious because, as his career progressed, fewer men expressed interest in playing. There may be a hockey rebirth in poker.

“My favorite thing was always those poker games on the plane,” NHL Network analyst Dubnyk remarked.

“I could play for a very long time.” We basically switched up the games we played using cards. However, I would rather be playing cards and conversing with the boys at the card table than watching movies.”

Carter Verhaeghe, along with Vladimir Tarasenko, is one of the Panthers’ two past cup champions. He’s a mediocre poker player.

 

 

“There are a few decent guys: Gustav is fairly skilled, and Ekky believes he is fairly skilled,” Verhaeghe added, aloud, referring to defensemen Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling. “Some men are less serious about it. Some men treat it with greater gravity. Without a doubt, I lean lighter.”

For the coaches, it’s an opportunity to review footage and get ready for the upcoming session.

Paul Maurice of Florida stated, “I shoot a lot of video on the plane, and even though there are a lot of people there, it’s a quiet place.”

“Everybody’s got work to do or they’re sleeping, so it’s actually a great place to do quiet work.”

Kris Knoblauch from Edmonton, who also enjoys reading, said that he has “eating some great meals.”

Fighting fatigue

According to Tom Clark, an expert in athlete performance, optimizing meal timing when traveling between time zones is crucial for reducing travel fatigue. Clark, who serves as the performance coach for Formula 1 driver Esteban Ocon on the Alpine F1 Team, emphasized the importance of adjusting meal times to align with the destination’s schedule. This approach helps athletes like those on the Panthers and Oilers adapt more smoothly, especially when transitioning from Mountain to Eastern time zones.

Clark also highlighted the significance of other practical measures to mitigate the effects of long-distance travel. “Less glamorous or technical components such as staying well-hydrated are essential,” he noted. The low oxygen levels in airplane cabins necessitate extra effort to maintain hydration levels.

 

 

During extended flights, like the Panthers’ journey from Edmonton to Fort Lauderdale spanning over 4,102 kilometers, Clark suggests incorporating mobility exercises using resistance bands to combat stiffness and promote blood circulation. He emphasized the importance of regular movement breaks to prevent the typical tightening of muscles associated with long-haul flights.

In essence, Clark’s advice underscores the holistic approach teams can take to optimize performance during extensive travel, ensuring that routines like poker games include necessary intermissions for physical well-being.

Because they travel frequently throughout the year, players are used to the idea that a little exercise upon arrival typically does wonders.

“You’re not going to feel good coming off a plane no matter what: It’s about what you do after you get off is the most important thing,” Kyle Okposo, a veteran from Florida, said.

“Everyone is unique. I want to be active and always try to get in a little bit of activity, whether it’s going for a stroll outside or jumping in the pool. Just making sure you get blood circulating in your legs and don’t sit still for the remainder of the day.”