Justin Bourne on the All-Star Break

Players know they’re going to pay for the break upon returning to the team, but they also know that if they don’t go out and party, they’re still going to have to bag skate with the rest of the team. It’s just a thing that happens after multiple days off in that line of work. Sweat it out, boys.

Since it barely makes a difference if you’re fresh or hurting (bag skating is never fun), you might as well make it worth it.

Some players may choose to fly home, but given that it was just Christmas a month ago, it seems like everybody is down for an adventure around this time of year. So unless you’re a married gent with a family and kids, one of those larger built-in friend groups may find themselves on a Paul Bissonnette(notes)-like road trip.