I don't buy that they grip the sticks tighter because of Smith. I just don't believe that any thoughts are running through Backlund's head when he whiffs on an open net. I think if Bennett's pressuring himself in tight it's about his own production and how he wants to improve it (and not Smith). Bennett gets in his own head (remember when he scored and mimed taking a monkey off his back).
In other words, if there's sticks being gripped tight, there's nothiing more complex than "I haven't scored in a long time".
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