The brilliant Joe Posnanski deals with this question, in the context of the MVP races in baseball. The next time you hear someone yammer about how little pressure there was on Long Island after Woevember, this article is your one-stop ammo depot for firing back. So, trying to break a 1-20 streak and prove to your city, your fans, your opponents, your league, and your sport's media voices that you are a professional and viable NHL franchise, not a punchline or doormat = no pressure! Riiiiiiiight.