When a hockey player is eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and an overwhelming sense of frustration and disappointment rushes through their body and can last for much of the off-season.
Depending on how far one team advances, the pain can sting for years, but for Penguins centre Nick Bjugstad, the feeling of failure quickly turned to elation just hours after his season ended.
Bjugstad's wife, Jackie, was induced prior to puck drop before Game 4 started. After the game was finished, Bjugstad rushes to the hospital to be present, as the couple welcomed their first child into the world, daughter Layla.
The last number of months has been anything but normal for the Bjugstad family. The family was forced to find a new doctor and home after being traded from the Florida Panthers to Pittsburgh along with Jared McCann.
The timing wasn't exactly ideal with the pregnancy and birth coinciding with a new team and playoff run.
“We’re all good now. We have a nursery set up and everything,” Bjugstad told Matt Vensel back in late March. “My wife’s been very dialed in with everything, so I’m thankful for that. Obviously, we’ve had a pretty busy schedule.”
McCann was impressed with the way the Jackie and Nick were able to manage it all.
"He handled it awesome," McCann said of Bjugstad. "He was such a professional about it. Baby Lyla is here now and it's definitely going to be something to remember."
With Jackie being a kindergarten teacher, it's now time for Bjugstad to put his parenting skills to the test.
“I’m the one that needs to learn a little bit. I still haven’t changed a diaper. I’ve always said I’ll wait until I have one. And now my time is coming here soon,” he said. “So, yeah, I’m excited.”
