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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Pat Graham

NHL players are all about pregame routine, whether it's naps, walking the dog or eating same meal

Stars Avalanche Hockey - (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Before games, Dallas forward Matt Duchene relies on the same, tried-and-true routine. He blocks out a two-hour window for a nap, eats an identical meal — pasta and salmon — and spends time reviewing notes he's made in his journal.

Like many NHL players and coaches, Duchene is a creature of habit. Little pregame rituals and routines help them slip into the proper frame of mind for the next big game.

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