Brett Kulak, the Edmonton Oilers' defenseman, was unexpectedly absent from his pre-game routine for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Kings. Instead, he flew home to welcome the birth of his second daughter, Scotlyn. The C-section was moved up, allowing him to spend precious moments with his family before rejoining the Oilers just hours before puck drop.

Despite the whirlwind of emotions, Kulak expressed gratitude for his family's health and support from his wife, Caitlin, who encouraged him to focus on hockey. Notably, this is not the first time Kulak has navigated such a situation during the playoffs; he experienced a similar circumstance with his first daughter's birth. Returning to the game, he logged nearly 25 minutes in ice time, underscoring his commitment to both family and team.